The football club Owners Association of Nigeria have given reasons why it rejected the proposed Abridged League format put forward by the Interim Management committee of the Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL, #Desertsports has gathered.

In a Christmas message to the Football stakeholders in Nigeria, club Owners in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman Chief Barr Isaac Danladi and the Executive Secretary Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka described the proposed Abridged League format as a caricature of the NPFL, a League once rated as the best League in Africa.

The Association said , the only time Abridged League was played was in a special circumstances when there was leadership crisis in the Federation which affected the smooth running of football thus Abridged League was taken as an option.

But for a League that has stabilized over the years to revert back to Abridged League is like taking the system ten years backward.

Club Owners said that it was a majority decision by 16+1 clubs against only 3 clubs that supported the Abridged League hence it was surprised to see the IMC adopting Abridged League against popular decisions, thereby deceiving the NFF on the true outcome of the joint meeting.

The Association argued that the ongoing CAF Competitions will end in June 2023 and next edition to commence in September/October 2023 coupled with the fifa World Cup break which will alter many Confederations programmes, hence it asked why the hurry, It queried .

Associating Nigeria Football with an bridged League in this century is a big slap on the country as a great soccer nation of the world, because both Enyimba and other clubs who made Nigeria proud were not champions of Abridged League, it said.

The Association however insisted that Clubs would resist the Abridged League format by shunning the draws slated for 28th December 2022 in Abuja, just as a meeting of the Club Owners has been slated for the same day at Toprank Hotel in Asaba Delta State.

The entire football followers await NFF intervention as the NPFL is expected to kick off in January 8th 2023.

Source: Desert Sports.

.. Caution against unguarded utterances.

The end has not been heard on the imbroglio surrounding the commencement of 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season as the participating clubs are set for another round of protest.

The latest em passe is about the format to be employed for the new season which has drawn mixed feelings among the stakeholders of the league, notably the Interim Management Committee and the club managers.

In a statement issued on Sunday which was purposely meant to wish Christian faithful on Christmas by the Football Club Owners Association of Nigeria (Club Owners), the umbrella body of Proprietors, Chairmen and Managers of top Professional Domestic football League Clubs in Nigeria, it specifically disclosed that member-clubs had in a joint meeting with the IMC unanimously voted for a full league with 16+1 votes, to 3 votes, and against a proposal for an abridged league.

The release jointly signed by the Chairman of the association, Bar. Isaac Danladi and Executive Secretary, Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka, alleged that some group of persons went behind to push for an abridged league which is a caricature of the NPFL, a league once adjudged as the number league in Africa.

The Club Owners stated that the decision of the clubs on a full league format remain unchanged and reject the proposed abridged league in its entirety.

The statement assured that a full league format can still be completed within the normal time frame, with submissions of the CAF Competitions representatives and aligns the NPFL with the International Football calendar.

The Association however used the occasion to warn mischief makers and blackmailers who were hired by some toxic interests within the system to cause disaffection between the Association and other Football stakeholders, stressing that Football can only strive in an atmosphere of an enabling environment where negotiations and round table discussions are cherished.

.. Caution against unguarded utterances.

The Football Club Owners Association of Nigeria (Club Owners), the umbrella body of Proprietors, Chairmen and Managers of top Professional Domestic football League Clubs in Nigeria have sent a special greetings to Football stakeholders in Nigeria especially the Christian Faithfuls as they celebrate Christmas.

Christians all over the World will today celebrate Christmas to mark the birthday of the Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

Club Owners in a goodwill messages jointly signed by its chairman Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi and the Executive Secretary Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka enjoined the Christians to use the special occasion to pray fervently for the growth and development of the domestic league in Nigeria as well as safety of its players and officials against untimely deaths.

The Association specifically commended the Honourable Minister of youths and sports, Chief Sunday Dare for his fraternity with the Association and its recognition in the Football development Master plan as well as his creation of an Interim Management Committee IMC for the NPFL to restructure the league and lay a solid foundation for its growth and development.

Club Owners also used the Christmas festivities to congratulate the new Leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF led by Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau and commended his steps at reconciling all aggrieved parties in his quest to have a united Football family.

It extended its greetings to the Interim Management Committee IMC of the NPFL, who were mandated to restructure the league and lay a solid foundation for its future growth and development with assurance that the club owners would give them the necessary cooperation to succeed within its limited time frame.

Club Owners further sent warmly Christmas greetings to the Players Union, Coaches Association, the Sporting Media, the Clubs, Referees and Match commissioners,Match Delegates and Assessors, the Security agencies, supporters and fans as well as other stakeholders and wished them a Special Christmas blessings.

The Association however used the occasion to warn mischief makers and blackmailers who were hired by some toxic interests within the system to cause disaffection between the Association and other Football stakeholders, stressing that Football can only strive in an atmosphere of an enabling environment where negotiations and round table discussions are cherished.

Chairman of Niger Tornadoes, Honourable Adamu Aliyu’s beliefs in making things work for the club can not be overlooked, that’s why former Flying Eagles and Eaglet Coach, John Obuh who was a household name during his time with Tornadoes had this to say.

“The best thing to have happened to Niger Tornadoes was the coming of
Honourable Adamu Aliyu.

“He is a well-respected administrator, embedded in humility who came after Ten Ten and did very well for the club. Immediately he came with his vast knowledge, experience and humility, he stabilised everything about the club.

“The results started coming, and the coaches, players and supporters were well-harmonized, same with the Niger State Sports Council as everyone was working towards the same goal and successes were recorded under his leadership.

“I had a good working relationship with him, as he never for once interfered with my MatchDay programme, as he gives me the needed environment for me to succeed.

“Am not surprised that after I left the club, Niger Tornadoes has done remarkably well under him. I want to wish him success in his challenge as he got it on merit going by his pedigree which speaks volumes.”

Vice Chairman of Niger Tornadoes Musa Ibrahim Matane

“When were inaugurated as Tornadoes Management Committee(TMC), the mandate given to us by the State Government was to ensure that club get promoted to the NPFL from NNL.

“That we did as Tornadoes finished top of its group, was impressive at the NNL Super 8 PlayOff in Enugu, as it went ahead to emerge champions after claiming a promotion ticket.

“Tornadoes under the leadership of Honourable Adamu Aliyu is not a ‘One Man Show, he carried each member along to achieve the set goals for the club.

“We can achieve the mandate given to us by the Niger State Government and surpass it.

“I want to Honourable Adamu Aliyu for his prudent management of the funds from the state government, despite the world economic challenges owing to the COVID-19 virus, he and his management team were still able to run the club successfully.”

Barrister Isaac Danladi, Chairman NPFL Club Owners and Chairman Nasarawa United

“Honourable Adamu Aliyu is a good friend and personality I have known for over two decades in football administration. We have indeed come a long way, and he has been able to stabilise Niger Tornadoes over the years, employing his managerial skills to successfully manage the fortunes of the club.

“He’s a frontline member of the Club Owners Association, a team player and popularly referred to as ‘Mr Fix It, owing to his good crisis management skills.

“Honourable Adamu Aliyu is eloquent and possesses effective communication skills and has turned the club from ‘grass to grace. Little wonder he made his second coming to the club following his reappointment after he was relieved of the post. He is dedicated, honest, straightforward and above all, has the fear of God in him.

“The government and people of Niger State should be proud and lucky to have such a personality like Honourable Adamu Aliyu at the helm of affairs of Tornadoes. I continue to wish Honourable Adamu Aliyu the best in his endeavours and ask the state government to continue to support him in the progress of the club.

“As Chief Personal Secretary to the Niger State Governor, HIS Excellency, I believe he has been able to use his skills to the best and as a good public servant, has employed the same in the running of the day-to-day operations of Niger Tornadoes.

“Continue to do well for the state and Tornadoes, Honourable Adamu Aliyu, as I wish you well and may God in his infinite mercy continue to bless

Yanagi A Baba 1st Vice Chairman Niger State Football Association

“I have known him since his involvement in football, Honourable Adamu Aliyu is a man of integrity. He relates with the FA on football matters concerning Niger Tornadoes.

“I have a cordial relationship with him, as interim head of the FA, I was in charge of organising and taking care of their home matches.

“Honourable Adamu Aliyu is also a loyal member of the Niger FA Football Congress, him being the Chairman of the Premier League club.

“He has done a fantastic job in Tornadoes and left his mark at the club as he has never at any time not related any challenges Tornadoes faced to the FA, at the end, we proffer solutions to them.

We have seen a rich club like Kano Pillars getting relegated to the NNL, while with limited funds, Honourable Adamu Aliyu made sure Tornadoes beat the drop.

“On the personal ground, I take him as an elder brother and he has also reciprocated the same gesture to me. I have so many beliefs in Honourable Adamu Aliyu; as in years to come, he will achieve a lot with Tornadoes.

It will further interest you to note that since the inception of Tornadoes in 1977, he did change the narratives of the club as it became a professionally administered club.

He was the first Chairman to introduce preseason camping for the team and purchased training jerseys squad after termed it as an eyesore with the kind of kits the players were having seasons with, which for him was not good for the Niger Tornadoes brand.

Going into that season, he introduced a partnership with customized kits for the team.

Travelling long distances by road is one big headache for clubs owing to the poor state of our Federal Highways, armed robberies, accidents and fatigue, under his leadership, Tornadoes now travel two days ahead for away matches. All with the view of ensuring the player’s and backroom staff’s safety and of course getting results on the road.

He then in the 2007/2008 season, increased travelling and bonus from N5,000 to N10,000 as the welfare of the team is also top of his priorities for the club.

In the 2015/2016 season, he increased travelling and bonus allowances from 10, 000 to 15,000. The following season (2016/2017) he increased the allowances again from 15,000 to 20,000 and that’s what the players are enjoying to date.

It’s on good record that Honourable Adamu Aliyu became the first chairman to voluntarily resign in 2008 when the league was at MatchDay 12 while the team was still topping the league and the first time Tornadoes had that luxury.

The Chairman of Nasarawa United FC of Lafia, Barrister Isaac Danladi has given reasons why his club is participating in the 2022 Unity Preseason Tournament holding in Abuja from 16th to 23rd October.

Responding to the visit of the State Commissioner for Sports Ambassador Lucky Isaac Yargwa, to Club’s training ground on Wednesday, Barr. Isaac Danladi, who expressed the appreciation of the entire Management and Staff of the Club for the Commissioner’s visit, said their participations in the Unity Preseason Tournament is for absolute concentration, devoid of any distractions.

“You can see we are making efforts to go for the Abuja Unity Preseason Tournament where we ended as runners-up last season. This is to enable us have full concentration and avoid all sorts of distractions and detractors.

“We only intend to replace a few number of our players who left us after the end of last Season.

“Whoever doesn’t have any business to be here with us will have to give us some space to allow us concentrate.

“From the Abuja Unity Preseason Tournament, we intend to proceed to Kaduna and Jos, respectively, for further closed-door campings.

“This will enable us have access to the state-of-the-art facilities needed to keep our players abreast of the main tasks ahead.”

The Lafia-based side will feature in the 2nd edition of the Unity Preseason Tournament in Abuja, which kicks off this weekend, at the same venue they emerged runners-up last year, behind Plateau United FC

Nasarawa United FC beat the odds to finish the 2021/22 NPFL Season on 6th position.

But for the abrupt end of the 2022 Aiteo Federation Cup, the team was on the verge of making a second consecutive finals’ appearance after booking a last-eight place against regional neighbours, Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi.

Mid November, 2022, has been fixed, tentatively, by the League Management Company, LMC, for the commencement of the new NPFL Season, and the Solid Miners are leaving nothing unturned ahead of the campaign as they have lined up series of activities to keep both the players and officials afloat before the beginning of the 2022/2023 NPFL Season.

Nasarawa United will play the opening game of the 2022 Unity Preseason Tournament on Monday, when they trade tackles with NNL new entrants Mailantarki Care FC at the Area 3 pitch by 10am.

Barrister Isaac Danladi said his admonition became necessary due to the recent outburst between clubs and the Association after it was rumoured that the season will be brought to an end.

The Club owners chairman pleaded with members not to allow the ongoing issues disrupt the existing unity that they have sustained over the years.

He assured that the best decision will be arrived at once the Covid-19 challenges are over and all issues will be professionally addressed accordingly.

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has been suspended since March following the spread of the coronavirus to the West African country.

The chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and secretary to the federal government, Boss Mustapha, recently stated the government is not excited to reopen sporting activities as the number of confirmed cases of the virus continues to rise in the country.

The League Management Company (LMC) had proposed four options to end the league, including a point-per-game (PPG) method, which was subjected to a vote at the weekend.

20 NPFL club chairmen were involved in a virtual voting process on the best options to end the NPFL 2019/20 season, with 17 of them voting to end the season, with the top three clubs representing Nigeria at CAF competitions via the Points Per Game table and that there should not be promotion or relegation of any clubs.