By; ODEYEMI SAMUEL, Akure
Ondo State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Hon Saka Yusuf Ogunleye has debunked insinuations making the rounds that match officials of the game between Sunshine Stars FC Akure and Kano pillars FC were attacked.
Saka while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after sunshine stars goalless draw against Kano pillars at the Akure township stadium said the match officials were diligent and professional in the entire match duration.
The commissioner urged security operatives to fish out perpetrators if really there was an assault.
His words, “I’m not sure there was an incident of such, but I’ve directed security operatives to investigate and I can assure you if the security agents discover such happened , those miscreants will be charged to court “
Hon Saka said government will not encourage any act of hooliganism in sport and as a peace loving state government will make the state peaceful for officials during league matches .
He stressed that government will deal with any hoodlum (s) who engage in any act that can put the state in bad light
He disclosed that series of sensitization programmes were organized in the state months ago to educate fans on good conduct during home matches of Ondo state teams.
He described Nigerian referees as individuals ready to develop the standard of the elite league In country
” I’m satisfied with the performance of the match officials, they showed professionalism and that’s what Is expected of other referees in the elite league”
Saka Ogunleye however charged sunshine stars players to put the outcome of the match behind them and be ready to pick points away from home in subsequent matches.
” Kano pillars match is gone, our next target should be how to pick points away from home, our boys shouldn’t be deterred, its a game of football where you win some, draw some and lose some”