Football
The Nigeria Football Federation has heaped plaudits on the League
Management Company (organizers of the Nigeria Professional Football League),
all the participating Clubs, the media as well as football fans for a highly
–successful 2015/2016 Season that came to an end on Sunday.
NFF President Amaju Pinnick, who personally presented the League
trophy to Enugu Rangers FC captain Okey Odita at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium
(now nicknamed The Cathedral) as the Flying Antelopes won their first title in
32 years, lauded the efforts of the LMC and indeed all stakeholders in ensuring
a fabulous season.
“It is no gainsaying that it has been a fabulous season in the
Nigeria Professional Football League. Everyone has contributed immensely: the
LMC, all the Clubs, fans, the media and other stakeholders of the League. We
must also not forget the contribution of Supersport Television.
“I look back and there are so many things to be happy about in the
just –concluded season. I was there in Kano during the opening match of the
season in which Kano Pillars defeated Enugu Rangers with a late goal. Football
has returned to Maiduguri – which people thought would not be possible – and we
have had a number of fascinating Friday Night matches. I can boldly say this
League Season has gone well with huge improvements all round and we had the
best team winning.
“A few matches were troubled by security breaches and some
referees did not cover themselves in glory. But at the end, it was a season to
be proud of and we can only put in place reforms to make things better in the
coming season.”
On refereeing, Pinnick elected to elaborate on what the NFF will
be doing to improve things.
“We have been doing a lot to improve refereeing, including taking
dozens of them to the United Kingdom for capacity enhancement, as well as
hosting FIFA Member Association courses to ensure our referees get better.
“Now, the NFF leadership has identified the shortcomings and will
initiate positive reforms of the refereeing management process to ensure more
effectiveness and improved professional delivery.”
The first reform, according to the NFF President, which is aimed
at guaranteeing independence and strict compliance to the rules, would be to
divide referee management into three professional and independent committees:
Training, Grading and Appointment; Assessment and; Performance Review and
Compliance, including sanctions for erring referees.
“The last two committees (Assessment and Performance Review and
Compliance) would be headed by independent and credible personalities to ensure
fairness and prompt actions,” explained Pinnick.
The NFF supremo gave kudos to LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko, who is
also the NFF 2nd Vice President, stating that the latter’s work ethic and
vision alongside LMC CEO Nduka Irabor and the COO Salihu Abubakar have taken
the NPFL to new heights.
“It is not only in the work they do that they have excelled; they
have also been there for the other Leagues: NNL, NWFL and the NLO. The
solidarity payments they have made to these Leagues as well as the Players’
Union have helped to stabilize the football structure.”
The 2015/2016 NPFL Season was brought to a glorious end on Sunday
with one of the nation’s biggest traditional Clubs, Enugu Rangers winning the
League trophy for the first time in 32 years, after amassing 63 points from
their 36 matches.
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