Beach Soccer League Starts, Nov

The Co-ordinator of the
Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL), Taye Olajide, has in Abuja said the competition would kick off in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Olajide told newsmen that registration of participating clubs would soon start and the competition should start by November.
“We will then hold a seminar, after the registration, for all stakeholders, including clubs and corporate organisations,’’ he said.
The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has since May 2013 approved the commencement of the beach soccer league in the country.
The NFA gave Sports Solution Limited the right to develop, organise and administer the beach soccer league in the country in tandem with global best practices.
“Our initial statement that the league will start in 2014 still stands, because preparations for the kick-off are underway.
“Presently, we are doing a lot of fine-tuning and documentation in this first quarter and Nigerians will begin to see the roll-out of events in the second quarter.
“This will be heralded by a call for clubs to register. Thereafter, there will be a stakeholders’ forum where everyone shall rub minds.
“And we are looking at inviting at least someone from Beach Soccer Worldwide or FIFA as one of the resource persons. Details of this shall come out soon,’’ Olajide said.
The co-ordinator however noted that only eight clubs would be participating at the inaugural edition of the NBSL which is schedualed for Lagos in the fourth quarter of 2014.
“Although many clubs have shown interest in participating, we will like to start with only eight clubs.
“This is because we want to achieve a quality and sustainable league that can rival any other one in the world. It must take a calculated and gradual developmental process,” he said.
Olajide however said the league’s second season would witness an increase in the number of participating clubs, with about 16 clubs taking part and an additional league centre.
“We will progressively implement this across the country as we continue to deliver exciting beach soccer league series as a viable going concern,’’ he said.
On sponsorship for the beach soccer league, Olajide said plans were on ground to secure title sponsors/partners before its kick-off.
“All hands are currently on deck to secure sponsors and partners for the beach soccer league and we are very optimistic that some sponsors shall come through before the league starts.
“We are already in talks with Super Sports to guarantee TV broadcast, and a leading radio station in the country has also signified interest with some known corporate brands,’’ he said.