Sports
NPL Declares 2011/2012 Season Worst In History …Sacks Board
The Congress of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), yesterday passed a damming verdict on the league, concluding that it was the worst in the history of the competition.
The body’s position was contained in a communiqué read by the Chairman, Communiqué Drafting Committee, Salihu Aluko, at the end of the 7th Congress of NPL yesterday in Abuja.
The congress noted that the 2011/2012 season was the worst organised since the inception of the league in 2005.
“The congress deliberated on the state of the league, especially the just-concluded 2011/2012 season and agreed that it was the worst organised since the inception of the NPL in 2005.
“Congress frowned at the management style of the current board and expressed total disappointment in its inability to positively react to series of allegations against it,” he said.
Aluko said that the board was accused of managerial recklessness, executive rascality, high handedness, disrespect for clubs, refusal to call for congress, failure to secure a title sponsor for the league and gross incompetence.
According to him, the congress invoked Article 22(n) and unanimously resolved that the board which was an organ of the NPL as constituted be dissolved immediately.
The board mandated the acting executive secretary to take over the affairs of the league pending further directives from the Nigeria Football Association,” Aluko said.
He also said that the decision of the board to expel Ocean Boys FC from the league lacked due process and was reversed by the congress.
Aluko described the congress’ nullification and suspension of Okey Kpalukwu and Malam Farouk Yarma by the board chairman from NPL activities as not being in line with the NPL statutes and declared it null and void.
He added that it formally admitted the three newly promoted clubs, El-Kanemi Warriors FC, Nasarawa Utd FC and Bayelsa Utd FC, expressing optimism for a hitch-free 2012/2013 season.
The chairman said that the 2012/2013 league season should commence on February 16, 2013 with the pre-season activities, noting that the draws would hold in Kano at a date yet to be announced.
Tidesports learnt that 19 premier league clubs that took part in the 2011/2012 league were in attendance and three executive board members of NFA.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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