The Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is scheduled to hold a very important meeting today with the Clubs that will be playing in the Nigeria Premier League in the 2022/2023 season.
I may not know the details of this very important meeting but I can confidently say that it is the final phase of the preparation for the take off of the new season. The IMC has struggled with initial problems and it is envisaged that they may have overcome all these difficulties and are now set to commence an improved Football League. Improved League? Yes! I expect an improvement in view of a few vital information I have, including playing on pitches that will be video friendly. It has become clear that some Clubs will have to play their home matches away from their home.
Besides this development, the Dozy Mmobuosi Super Cup Preseason Football Competition which attracted N100million to the Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan is a sign of greater things to happen to the Nigerian League.
I want to assess the Interim Management Committee as good Managers in view of the new foundation they are laying for the NPFL. They must continue to manage well to score higher marks in the league proper. The NPFL Clubs deserve commendation for their cooperation with the IMC. They are indeed the owners of the League and they must do everything to make the League good and attractive. I advise the Clubs to pay attention to quality recruitment of Coaches and Players. They should be prudent in management of resources. They should be prompt in payment of their Coaches and Players’ salaries and bonuses. I believe that the IMC will manage well the payment of match officials indemnities. It may no longer be business as usual when it was the responsibility of the home team to pay match officials. “He who pays the piper dictates the tune”. You remember this saying? This practice may change this season. I also believe the referees will not threaten match boycott over non payment of indemnities. I again believe that the outstanding payments for the 2021/2022 season will be handled appropriately. Why did the defunct League Management Company (LMC) owe the referees. It is an act of incompetence. It is irresponsible sending Match Commissioners, Referees and Assessors to handle matches on credit. What a shame! No wonder we hear of compromise here and there. I believe the IMC has come to set a template that is effective, efficient and sustainable.
Let us manage the fans well. Let the Clubs educate their fans to add to the beauty of the game. Let the IMC introduce incentives that will bring spectators back to our stadia or stadiums.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 has come and is gone. The pains of the failure of Nigeria to secure a ticket for the mundial remains fresh in our hearts. It is envisaged that an improved Nigerian League will bring some comfort and hope for football stakeholders in particular and Nigerians in general. We wait for the NPFL to kick off.
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