Sports
NPL Need New Lease Of Life
As the 2011/2012 Nigerian Premier League season wobbles to an end this weekend and bogged down by poor funding, absence of sponsors and poor spectators, some stakeholders have called on the managers to ensure new lease of life for the league next season.
In spite the plethora of problems, however, the Nigeria Premier League board is managing to run the season to conclusion, the situation which robbed the league of some glamour.
The vice chairman of Mastersports International, Mitchell Obi, yesterday said, “ the league could have a better lease of life.”
“We shall need a brand new league that should be able to have all the excitements, raise funds and rally spectators back to the stadiums,’’ he said.
However, a top official of the Board, noted that if all litigants currently in court over the title sponsorship of the league could withdraw such cases,it would pave way for an amicable settlement of the issue.
The board’s acting Executive Secretary, Tunji Babalola, who made the appeal during an interview with newsmen, noted; “The only way forward for all of us is for the litigants to withdraw the matter from the courts.
“We are appealing that to them to see the success of the league as uppermost in their minds.
“If the cases are withdrawn, we can sit down and resolve the issues amicably, without much ado, before the commencement of the 2012/2013 league season,’’ Babalola said.
Another administrator, Musa Amadu, the secretary, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), also urged the NPL to seek a peaceful resolution of the matter.
Amadu also commended the efforts of the NPL board in coordinating the league, in spite of the challenges of funding.
“This has been the most challenging season for the NPL and they have remained steadfast in their quest to ensure that the league becomes a success.
“In spite of this, the NPL has been rated as the best in Africa, but there is still room for improvements.
“There are more away victories, which is a new thing in the league; the quality of play has improved too, which is highly commendable; we hope next season will be better,’’ he said.
The General Manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, Mutiu Adepoju however, urged the NPL to put its house in order. He called for cohesion in the body.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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