April, 13 2023.
The Interim Management Committee (IMC) have promises more Improvements, while applying hard and fast rules to ensure that the regular phase of the 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and the upcoming season ending Super Six, ends with a flourish.
Speaking in Abuja, IMC Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye reiterated that the other goal of the IMC is to do all they can, to make the NPFL one of the Best Leagues on the African, continent.
Elegbeleye however, lamented that at present, the nation's top flight league is not among the 10 best leagues in Africa; but the league management is working day and night to ensure that the loss glory of the NPL is restored.
Speaking on Wednesday, during the 'performance appraisal' of the 2022/23 Abridged Season, now in its 13th Matchweek, and with just five Matchdays to the end of the regular season; he noted that there must be serious discipline by all parties and stakeholders, for the NPFL to experience the desired growth, and the ultimate goal is to stimulate the NPFL to be run professionally so that clubs, players, coaches and fans can all be proud of being associated with one of the most viable and sustainable leagues, on the continent.
"If you check the latest CAF ranking of domestic leagues in Africa, Nigeria a country with about 200 million people, snd the largest country in Africa in terms of population, and exporter of football talents in both Africa and all of Europe, is not in the top 10, means there something is definitely wrong", Elegbeleye said.
The IMC as a child of necessity was inaugurated and tasked to midwife the NPFL, following the withdrawal of the Operating License of the dissolved League Management Company (LMC), following the multi faceted failures in organizing the Nigeria Professional Football League.
“Owing officials match indemnities which was prevalent is now a thing of history. In fact the IMC increased their emoluments by 50%, and Transport allowance by 40% and all the allowances are paid as at when due, through bank transfers, a day before the match. In addition to these, we also pay for their accommodation, and still pay for their feeding anywhere they go", the IMC Boss added.
Consequently, the former Director General of the defunct National Sports Commission, recounted that the IMC in conjunction with the new NFF Referees' Committee having given the welfare of the arbiters the priority they deserved, now has a zero tolerance for acts of unprofessionalism and unethical practices by the referees, who are promptly punished when found to have erred. Same goes for clubs, found guilty of breaching rules regarding assault of officials, crowd violence and hooliganism.
To this end, at least three clubs have been charged and slammed with points deduction, and all those sanctions including monetary fines, were designed to help restore sanity in the NPFL, while it is being nurtured on the path of growth and prosperity. www.ckdmedia.ng report.
According to him, it has been a daunting task, but the IMC has resolved not to relent in its effort to achieve its lofty goals.
Comments