Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) has firmly dismissed reports suggesting that the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is considering relocating the club from Ibadan over the poor condition of the Lekan Salami Stadium pitch.
Chairman of the Oluyole Warriors, Hon. Taiwo Lekan Salami, assured supporters that the club’s home ground remains in Ibadan, stressing that urgent and coordinated measures are already underway to restore the pitch to league-approved standards.
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Concerns over the state of the playing surface were formally raised by the NPFL in a letter signed by the league’s Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi. The correspondence reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the pitch condition, especially against the backdrop of the NPFL’s newly secured broadcast and television rights, which have placed increased emphasis on pitch quality and overall match presentation.
Reacting to the development, Salami said the club has taken proactive responsibility by working closely with the Oyo State Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Oyo State Sports Council, the bodies charged with managing the stadium. According to him, the intervention has focused on addressing long-standing challenges, particularly inadequate water supply for proper pitch maintenance.
“We do not have a home match for about two weeks, and all other activities at the stadium have been suspended,” Salami explained. “This window gives us enough time to restore the pitch to a lush green condition. The major issue has been water supply, and we have stepped in to complement the efforts of the agencies in charge.”
The 3SC chairman added that the intervention is not a temporary fix but part of a broader plan to ensure sustainable maintenance of the facility in line with NPFL requirements and international best practices.
Providing further assurance, Secretary of the Oyo State Football Association, Taiwo Adesola, confirmed that the recovery process is already yielding visible results. He noted that within days of consistent watering, the pitch has shown significant improvement.
Adesola said the revitalisation of the playing surface will not only enhance the matchday experience for fans but also improve player performance and ensure the Lekan Salami Stadium remains fit to host top-flight football as the season progresses.
With restoration efforts gaining momentum, 3SC management remains confident that the club will continue to honour its home fixtures in Ibadan, putting to rest speculation of any impending relocation.
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