‘Sponsorship, Organisation Key To League Success’

Fatai Amao, former Chief Coach, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, says that sponsorship and good organisation are crucial to the success of the 2012/2013 Nigeria Premier League (NPL) season.

Amao told newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos that all stakeholders must be fully involved if the board hoped to meet the requirements of a well-organised league.

The 2012/2013 league season has tentatively been scheduled to kick off on February 16, shortly before the end of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, adding  that a good sponsorship deal and a well structured set up would bring glamour to the league and attract spectators to match venues.

“What can determine the success of the upcoming season is securing a reputable sponsor, as well as the good organisation of every department.

“By organisation, I am talking in terms of fixtures, the security of players, match officials and spectators, as well as logistics,” he said. The coach said that the interim league board must work with fairness, commitment and focus at ensuring that the problems suffered last season do not reoccur.

He also advised the board to be firm on the rules governing the league and not to relent in applying them whenever necessary. “The board must be fair, focused and fully committed, in order to ensure that the problems that we faced in 2012 do not happen again.

There are rules guiding the league and I expect them to be precise and timely in taking appropriate actions,” he said.

Amao called on clubs to ensure the payment of players’ salaries, stressing that Nigerians would appreciate a league worthy of global standards and attention. The draws for the 2012/2013 season have been scheduled for Sunday in Kano.