Retired NPFL Referee, Match commissioner and Businessman, Joseph Okeke has criticized Tade Azeez-led Nigerian Referees Association, NRA for their insensitivity in allowing Nigeria Football Federation, NFF to conduct fitness test for referees despite indemnities of the whistle professionals from last season not being cleared .

Joseph Okeke in an exclusive chat with www.exclusivenews.com.ng in his office in Abuja, made the statement following the announcement by NFF to conduct fitness test for the nation’s referees

“I can’t imagine that Tade Azeez-led board would sit back and allow fitness test to be conducted by Nigeria football federation referee department despite the indemnities of referees, match commissioners from last season not being paid by League Management Company, LMC now interim management Committee, IMC.

The erudite referee further called for a change in leadership structure of the NRA, saying the tenure of the current board at both the state and national levels, have expired.

“I am not disappointed that Tade Azeez would have allowed this to happen because of his selfish interest by perpetrating himself in office knowing that his tenure has expired and has refused to call for election at both state and national levels

“It is time for referees to wake up and take back their association, if NRA failed to set machinery in motion for electoral committee to be set up in the next few days and elections to be conducted at both state and national levels,” he concluded

Nigeria referees and match commissioners have not been paid their accumulated indemnities from last season while a fitness test is being conducted for a new season where a referee is expected to pay a minimum of fifteen thousand naira not to to talk of the cost of travelling and other logistics.

The tournament logo designed by foremost Sports Content Agency, Out of Line Media represents the tournament premium sponsor, ValueJet Airline, and the strength of champions for the participating clubs.

“We have been organizing the preseason tournament to project the brand image of Ogun State, and after years of successful organization our focus has shifted to make the preseason tournament a legacy project. 

“We are honoured to welcome ValueJet Airline to drive our dreams, they have given us an identity that will outlive different generations. Our target is to make the tournament lucrative and a world-class platform to prepare our clubs for the season,” said Chairman of the ValueJet Cup organizing committee, Otunba Tade Azeez.

The ValueJet Cup logo will be fully integrated across all media sectors which include; Television Graphics, Print Materials, Tournament Branding, Digital, and Social Media.

ValueJet Cup head of communications, Mr. Tobi Adepoju has said, there are plans to grow the new identity that will encourage cooperate sponsors. 

“We witnessed this year’s Emirates Cup in London and that is the level we want to be in years to come. We are learning from several branded preseason tournaments, and our target is to build this new identity to a top level. 

“Apart from creating the best environment for domestic clubs to prepare for their new season, we want to create a culture out of this new identity and we are excited about the prospects with ValueJet Airline,” said Adepoju.

Official hashtag >>> #ValueJetCup22 

The Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Otunba Tade Azeez disclosed that the prestigious preseason tournament will feature top Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and Nigeria National League (NNL) clubs.

“We have invited 18 clubs to participate in the tournament, and we are offering them the platform to prepare for the new season. We appreciate ValueJet for coming on board, and we have put together a solid Organizing Committee to deliver a top-notch tournament,” said Azeez.

The winner of this year’s edition of the ValueJet Cup will cash home Two Million Naira (N2,000,000), the first runners-up and second runners-up will be rewarded with a cash prize of One Million Naira (N1,000,000), and Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) respectively. 

All the participating clubs will get Two Hundred and Fifty Thousands Naira (N250,000) as appearance fees that will ease the club’s logistics.  

“We are investing ValueJet sponsorships to support the clubs, we want them to experience a top-quality preseason tournament and our objective is to ensure the clubs have the best preparation ahead of the new season, especially for our clubs that will participate in the continent. We have cash prizes in millions and all the participating clubs will get an appearance fee to make their preparation easy,” Azeez added. 

The Organizers have confirmed Mr. Bashir Badawiy and Mr. Oye Bawala as the Tournament Coordinators.