‘2010/2011 NPL Season Very Challenging’

The Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has described the current league season as very challenging because of some knotty issues, including the lack of a title sponsor that it has had to contend with.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the NPL, Tunji Babalola told newsmen in Lagos that in spite of the challenges the quality had been sustained.

Babalola said that the season had been fraught with electoral disputes, litigation, lack of a title sponsor and incessant postponement of matches.

“It is quite amazing how we had been able to sustain the season amid the contending issues the NPL had to grapple with.

“In spite of all the challenges, I would describe the 2010/2011 season as one of the best in recent times in terms of standard of play and organisation.

“Hopefully in the next season, we will have a better and well organised league season in place that would be devoid of strife and unnecessary postponement of matches,’’ he said.

Babalola also decried the low turnout of fans at match venues, which he described as perplexing.

“The spectators at league matches are nothing to write home about in spite of the quality of football being played by the clubs.

“Clubs would have to embark on constant publicity drive in order to attract fans to the stadiums,’’ he said.

The scribe assured fans that once the issues were resolved, especially the title sponsorship matter in court, the league body would function the way it should.

“In spite of the earlier mentioned challenges that the NPL has had to contend with, I can, with all sense of responsibility, tell you that the league has come of age,’’ he said.