By: Gracious Akujobi
The League Management Committee (LMC) and Club Owners rose from plenary meeting on Friday in Abuja, taking vital decisions crucial to moving the game of football forward in Nigeria.
In a nine-point communiqué read at the end of the meeting which was attended by about 20 club owners, the joint session adopted the English Premier League model, style and structure with required amendments to suit its domestication in Nigeria, in the running of the Premier League (NPFL) from 2013/2014 Season.
The communiqué reads in full:
The Meeting also discussed the details of the LMC/SUPERSPORTS TV Right Contract between 2015-2019 for the NPFL, which was unanimously adopted and received commendations from the entire clubs and all stakeholders.
Reiterates that the revenues generated from the LMC /Super Sport TV Right Contract shall be distributed in line with the agreed standard revenue sharing structure of the NPFL League.
Restates the readiness of the LMC and the club owners to work together on ongoing reforms to move the League to a sustainable level.
Recommends the absorption of the existing staff of the League in the new set-up in line with the vision of LMC, with processes put in place for their training and re-training to increase capacity.
Condemns in strong terms any move by any group to bring the LMC and the Club Owners into disrepute and agreed to exercise all options available within the law to forestall such efforts and protect the credibility and integrity of the Club Owners, LMC, the League and Nigerian Football in general.
Condemns in strong terms, the act of hooliganism in some League centres and urges the LMC to punish those found culpable in the commission of such acts, in line with the provision of the rules and regulations.
Discusses and endorsed the proposed specialized Glo-NPFL Clubs branded SIM cards and Recharge Cards project aim at promoting its marketing drive and revenues to the Clubs, and enjoined the LMC to conclude the arrangement to the benefit of all NPFL Clubs.
Lastly, urges all followers of the League to come out en masse to support the Super Eagles of Nigeria as they file out against Malawi in the World qualifier match. .
Members of the communiqué drafting Committee were Isaac Danladi (chairman Club Owners), Shehu Dikko(LMC), Abba Yola (chairman Kano Pillars), Salihu Abubakar( LMC), S.B Aluko (chairman Kwara united), Mike Enahoro (LMC), Samson Ebomhe(LMC Legal) and Alloy Chukwuemeka (Ag. Secretary Club Owners)
