Chairman of Nilayo Sports Management Company Bukola Olopade has hit back at former Edo State FA Chairman, Frank Ilaboya over his comments on the partnership deal between the organizers of the Nigeria Professional Football League and bookmaking giants Bet9ja.
Ilaboya had alleged that the multi-million sponsorship deal announced by the League Management Company and Bet9ja on Wednesday is an indication that the Nigeria National League Super 8 play-offs was manipulated to favour Remo Stars FC.
Remo Stars, owned by Honourable Kunle Soname, was one of the four teams that gained promotion to the Nigerian top-flight following the conclusion of the playoffs last Sunday.
“You saw the sponsorship deal between the LMC and Bet9ja, that is the basis of our reaction,” said Ilaboya .
“During the Super 8 in Enugu, which I witnessed, we saw that everything was well scripted to favour Remo Stars right from the draws. The venue was fixed, Remo Stars protested, it was changed. Bendel Insurance match against Remo for instance, the officials were changed three times on the proxy of Remo and questions were asked.
“We are saying that it is not right and we protested and what has happened now showed that it’s true.”
Reacting to Frank Ilaboya claims, Olopade described it as shameful saying the deal between the NPFL and Bet9ja has no connection with Remo Stars gaining promotion back to the NPFL after a two-year absence.
“It is rather sad that Frank Ilaboya and the Deputy Governor of Edo state can trivialize the importance of working hard to bring sponsorship to our football. We have been working on this sponsorship for more than six months alongside Davidson Owumi who at the time was being positioned to be the CEO of the LMC, this has nothing to do with the playoffs.
“For the record, Nilayo Sports Management Company brokered this deal between the Nigerian Premier League and Bet9ja but this is a deal that had been going on for more then six months. It has nothing to do with the individual person of Honourable Kunle Soname.
“It is shameful and disgraceful that Frank Ilaboya can condemn a very hard working effort to bring good money into our league that is in dire need of money.”
Olopade also stated that he hopes people learn to accept defeat as it is part of football and sports in general. In the event of Bendel Insurance’s failure to gain promotion back to the NPFL, Olopade said the indigenes of Edo State should question how much money spent on the team without yielding the desirable results.
