The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has said it was considering changing the National Amateur League’s name to reflect its grassroots and national outlook.
Musa Amadu, NFA Acting Secretary-General, said the association believed a change of name would assist in attracting more sponsors and glamour to the competition.
“We may have to change the league’s name to something that reflects its grassroots nature.
“ The name ‘Amateur League’ makes it sound as if players there are inexperienced and less relevant.
“Already, our Marketing Department is looking into it and we will come up with something as soon as all approvals are received,” he said.
Amadu said the move was imperative because the league, which has 128 clubs in its three divisions, was the most national of all its competitions and would give sponsors more mileage.
He said that the National Amateur League was a very important segment of Nigerian football as most of the players in the country had at one stage or the other played in it.
“From some of the matches I have witnessed in the league, it has the raw talents and you can see the players’ dedication,’’ he said.
Amadu urged clubs in the league to play fair and the referees to make sure their officiating was free and fair so that everyone involved would be satisfied.
“Clubs should abide by the rules and regulations guiding the league and ensure that their fans do not take laws into their hands by encroaching on the pitch or being violent,” he said.
The NFA official also called on clubs to ensure comprehensive medical coverage for their personnel, saying the increasing rate of players suffering sudden deaths was alarming.
“When matches are being played, you must have medical personnel on board and on ground in case of any casualty.
“It is also necessary that clubs conduct periodic check-up on their players and officials to make sure they are medically fit,” he said.
Amadu said the provision of an insurance package for players would also serve as an incentive to the players.
He said the league would become better organised with the election of a National Amateur League board which would oversee its affairs.
Amadu said the fact that the league board chairman would automatically become a member of the NFA Executive Committee was an indication that the league’s interest would be protected.