NPL Holds End Of Ceremony, Today

The Nigeria Premier League (NPL) is to hold end of season ceremony for its 2010/2011 competition  today, its Acting Executive Secretary, Tunji Babalola, has said.

Babalola told the Tidesports in Abuja that the NPL intends to organise a befitting ceremony to ensure a glamorous climax to the competition.

“It has been a very long season, no doubt, but it is still a duty we owe the competition and all those involved in it to ensure we end the season on a very glamorous note.

“This is why we intend to mobilise staff to two venues where we think the competition’s winners will emerge from.’’

Babalola said that arrangements were being made for NPL staff to be in Ilorin and Kano, where the top two club sides in the league, Sunshine Stars and Dolphin FC, would be playing.

Tidesports reports that on Nov. 13, when week 37 and the season’s final matches would be played, league leaders Sunshine Stars of Akure would be in Kano against hosts Pillars.

Dolphin FC of Port Harcourt, who are just three points below the league leaders, would also be in Ilorin as guests of Bukola Babes FC same day.

“We are aware that Sunshine Stars are with 70 points presently, while Dolphin are with 67 points, and that after week 36 matches on Wednesday, Nov. 9 a lot of things can change.

“However, the situation will not be clear so much that we should not expect that any one of the two can still emerge as champions on the final day, and this is why we are basing our plans on the two venues.’’

The NPL official said the league body planned to have the league trophy at one venue and its replica at the other venue in view of the ceremony it was planning.

“We don’t want to have the league ending without the champions being handed the trophy immediately the match ends.

“So, we will be ready for any eventuality, and this will make it possible for the league winners to be handed a trophy immediately for the purposes of celebrations,’’ he said.