By Gracious Akujobi All the 20 clubs that participated in the 2012/2013 Glo Premier League season have received their shares of the earnings from the Merit Award scheme instituted by the League Management Company (LMC).
The chairman of the LMC, Nduka Irabor, who confirmed the payment said a total sum of N50m was shared among the clubs based on their performances last season.
According to him, the League Champions, Kano Pillars got the highest amount of N10 million while the Shooting Stars that placed 20th on league table received the least amount of N1 million.
Irabor, advised the clubs that will be playing in the elite league in the new season to brace up for the challenges of professional football.
According to him, “There is a lot to benefit from running our clubs professionally and as we continue the processes for the Club Licensing Regulations, it is important that we focus more on the long term benefits that it will bring about while also preparing our players to win honours that will lead to monetary rewards such as the Merit Award in the short term”.
The League Chairman said the performance-based benefit of the Glo Player League Merit Award was an equitable distribution of the sponsorship earnings of the LMC to not only ensure a win-win situation but also encourage healthy competitive spirit.
He explained further, “We needed to create inspirational values in the League which will accommodate the different levels of strengths inherent in the clubs and the Merit Award represents that proposition. It will bring the best out of the teams and at the same time compensate those who do not have the same competitive strength”.
The top earners in order of performance are Kano Pillars (N10m), Enyimba International (N7.5m), Bayelsa United (N5M) and El-Kanemi Warriors (N2.5m). Others are Rangers International (N2.1m), Warri Wolves (N1.95m), Gombe United (1N1.9m), Sharks (N1.85m) and Dolphins (N1.8m). Kaduna United (N1.75m), Heartland (N1.7m), Sunshine Stars (N1.65m), Lobi Stars (N1.6m) and Nasarawa (N1.5m). The remaining clubs are Nembe City (N1.4m), Akwa United (N1. 3m), Kwara United (N1.25m), Abubakar Bukola Saraki Babes(N1.2m), Wikki Tourists (N1.05m) and Shooting Stars (N1m).
However, the LMC disclosed that the clubs’ individual indebtedness to the league arising from disciplinary penalties and petition fees was netted off their earnings before the remittance.
