“No Pay, No Play” insists Sunshine Stars

The players of the Ondo State sponsored Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure Wednesday vowed not to honour any league match any more until their salaries were paid by the state government.

The players who alleged that the outgoing government in the state had not paid their salaries for the past seven months, for the second consecutive day this week,  protested  at the governor’s office, Alagbaka, Akure.

However, the Secretary of the Ondo State Football Agency, Mr. Folayemi Joshua said the outgoing government was making efforts to address the issue.

“We have been appealing to the boys because we understand the players had a good reason to fight but the outgoing governor is already looking into the issue. I am very sure before the end of today (Wednesday) something positive would definitely come out”

The captain of the team, Sunday Abe, who spoke with journalists, declared that the protest would be ongoing until the government paid their salaries.

He said: “we are still not paid, they said we should wait and we have been waiting. We are not going to honour any match again until we are ‘settled’ ”

The club which is currently occupying 15th position on the Nigeria Professional Football League 2016/2017 Season has not been impressing their fans with their performance since the commencement of the league season.

The Akure-based team will be hosting Rivers United Football Club on Sunday in Week 10 match of the season but the players insisted that they would not play the match until the issue on their salaries was resolved.

But it was gathered that if the players’ salaries were paid, it will be a morale booster for the team which could consequently lead to better performances in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League.