Sports
Clubs, IMC Set To Disagree Over NPFL Format
In the latest twist to the protracted start of a new Nigeria Professional Football League season, NPFL clubs under the umbrella of ‘club owners’ have distanced themselves from the draw of an abridged league for the 2022/23 season scheduled for Wednesday in Abuja by the Interim Management Committee, Tidesports source reports.
Arising from their meeting on December 21, the IMC, in a circular dated December 22, had informed clubs of the draw schedule ahead of the incoming season.
“Be informed that the draws for the 2022/2023 abridged season of the Nigeria Professional Football League is scheduled to take place as follows: Date: 28th December 2022, Time: 12:00pm, Venue: Sandralia Hotel, Abuja,” the statement read in part.
However, Chairman of the NPFL club owners, Isaac Danladi, claimed it was not a representation of their agreement during the meeting, adding that 16 members of the clubs’ representatives voted for a straight league, while four voted for an abridged format.
“We have already said we cannot be part of the draw because what the IMC came out with is not a reflection of our decision at the meeting. When we met on Wednesday, they were rooting for an abridged league format.
“When we were proposing a straight league, there was an impasse, and it was agreed in the house that our positions will be forwarded to the NFF for further action so that we can come to a meeting point,” Danladi told Tidesports source.
He added, “The next day we received circulars that we should go for an abridged league saying that that draw will hold December 28. They never told us that there will be a draw on that day, what they did was they suggested whether the league could December 28, but we suggested January 8, 2023. For us to have suggested that, it means we are ready to play. So, we were expecting a straight league, only to get circulars for an abridged league.
“So, we have already written to our members, dissociating ourselves from that circular.”
Chairman of the IMC, Gbenga Elegbeleye, had maintained that the position of the IMC on the league remained unchanged, saying the body had been given the go-ahead by the NFF to adopt an abridged format.
“The league will start January 8, 2023 with draws for December 28 on 100 per cent abridged format, any club not ready might decide to leave.
“The NFF advised we should go for an abridged league.”.
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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