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The Chairman of the Osun State Football Association, Sola Fanawapo, has raised serious concerns over the state of football infrastructure in Osun State, warning that neglect is crippling grassroots development and placing an unfair burden on clubs.
Speaking on the situation, Fanawapo described the crisis as an “invisible tax” on football stakeholders.
“There is a quiet injustice unfolding in Osun State. It may not be written into law, but every grassroots club is paying for it. Call it what it is—an infrastructure tax imposed by neglect.”
He lamented that despite the abundance of talent and participation, the absence of basic facilities continues to undermine progress.
“Osun is not lacking in football. With over 450 grassroots clubs and more than 20 independent leagues, the energy and talent are undeniable. What is missing is the most basic requirement of the modern game—functional infrastructure.”
Referencing findings from the Osun FA White Paper, the FA boss pointed to widespread decay across facilities.
“We are dealing with decaying stadiums that pose safety risks, abandoned pitches that pass for playing grounds, and a complete absence of modern equipment and development pathways, especially for referees and female players.”
Fanawapo highlighted the severity of the situation ahead of the 2026 Nationwide League One season, revealing that clubs are struggling to find venues.
“For the upcoming NLO season, 16 clubs from Osun have registered, yet we do not have two standard state-owned pitches to host matches. That is the reality we face.”
He recalled the difficulties experienced in the previous campaign, where teams were forced to rely on a single private facility.
“Last season, 15 clubs had to converge on one private venue, the Lanreleke Sports Complex. Teams are spending scarce resources traveling difficult routes just to fulfil fixtures.
For many, logistics costs now outweigh their operational budgets.”
The FA chairman warned that the situation could worsen if urgent action is not taken.
“We may soon find ourselves in the embarrassing position of hosting home matches outside Osun. That strips teams of home advantage, alienates supporters, and weakens the local economy.”
Calling for immediate intervention, Fanawapo urged the government and stakeholders to prioritise infrastructure development.
“Football is no longer just a pastime; it is a social stabiliser and a multi-billion naira economy. When you neglect pitches, you abandon people. We must move from rhetoric to policy and take deliberate action.”
He concluded with a strong message to authorities on the need for decisive leadership.
“The choice is simple: we either continue taxing dreams through neglect or we start building the future through infrastructure. History will not remember excuses—it will remember what we chose to do.”
