Crown FC: Stakeholders Urge Makinde To Provide New Bus Ahead Of NNL Season, Seek Support For Late Driver’s Family

Major football stakeholders, football associations and former players have appealed to Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, to urgently provide a new Toyota Coaster bus for Crown FC of Ogbomoso ahead of the Nigeria National League (NNL) season, which is scheduled to commence in 14 days.

The appeal follows a tragic road accident involving the club’s team bus while travelling to Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, for the AFH Pre-Season Tournament at Sagamu. The accident claimed the life of the club’s driver, Yinusa Popoola Amole, popularly known as Olalomi.

The incident has thrown the club into mourning and raised fresh concerns about the need for a safe and reliable means of transportation for its players and officials.

Reports reaching Oyo Pulse indicate that Crown FC players are currently stranded in Ijebu-Ode, disrupting their training schedules and preparations for the forthcoming league season.

The club had earlier withdrawn from the AFH Pre-Season Tournament following the tragedy as a mark of respect for its late driver, whose remains were laid to rest according to Islamic rites on Friday.

With just 14 days remaining before the league kicks off, stakeholders have expressed concern that the absence of a functional team bus could undermine the club’s preparations, affect players’ welfare and threaten its ability to fulfil scheduled fixtures.

The NNL season will require Crown FC to undertake several long-distance journeys to honour away matches across different parts of the country, making reliable transportation essential to the team’s safety and smooth participation in the competition.

Consequently, the stakeholders have appealed to Governor Makinde to treat the situation as an emergency

expediting the provision of a brand-new Toyota Coaster bus for the club before the commencement of the season.
They stressed that the limited time available makes an urgent response necessary, noting that the provision of a replacement bus would enable the players to resume normal preparations and allow the technical crew to concentrate on its responsibilities without transportation-related distractions.

According to them, the tragic loss of Olalomi underscores the importance of providing Crown FC with a dependable vehicle to transport players and officials safely to training sessions, competitive matches and other football engagements.

The stakeholders maintained that the club needs a practical and timely intervention rather than promises that might come too late to address its immediate challenges.

They further argued that Crown FC should not be allowed to begin the new season under avoidable transportation difficulties, especially at a time when the team needs stability, adequate preparation and improved morale to compete effectively.

Beyond the provision of a replacement bus, the stakeholders have also appealed to Governor Makinde and the Oyo State Government to extend financial and other appropriate assistance to the family of the deceased driver.

They called for a compassionate gesture in recognition of Olalomi’s service to the club and the circumstances surrounding his death.

The stakeholders noted that supporting the bereaved family would demonstrate concern for the welfare of individuals who contribute to the development of sports in the state and provide some relief to a family grieving the loss of a husband, father and breadwinner.

They also emphasised that Crown FC represents Ogbomoso and the wider sporting interests of Oyo State, making the club’s welfare an important issue deserving government attention.

They appealed to the governor to ensure that the tragedy does not further compound the club’s challenges, urging the state government to take practical steps to address the team’s transportation needs and support the family of the deceased.

The stakeholders expressed hope that Governor Makinde would respond positively to the appeal

providing a new bus before the league begins and extending assistance to Olalomi’s family.
They added that such interventions would help restore stability within the club, improve the welfare of its players and officials, and provide meaningful support to the family the late driver left behind.