“Gentlemen I am delighted to know that you conducted your elections peacefully and in a very matured manner today, this gives me hope that you’re ready for the assignment at hand”.
Those were the words from Ibrahim Musa Gusau President Nigeria Football Federation when he received members of the 20 Nigeria Premier League Club Owners Association in his office in Abuja on Monday.
Led by their new chairman Okey Kpalukwu, Gusau charged them to stay focused and not give room for external forces to infiltrate their ranks which will distract from running their clubs effectively and professionally.
“Please I will be following your activities as Club Owners with keen interest because the strength of any football playing nation is the domestic league.
“You’ve started very well and I urge you to continue this way. Please don’t give room for distractions and you must stay united. Whenever I have cause to meet with you, let it be just 20 of you”, admonished the NFF President.
The former Zamfara FA chairman also harped on the need to ensure that the 2023/24 NPL season starts on schedule to consolidate on gains from sacrifices made last season by the clubs that has led to a unified football calendar in the leagues.
He added that the incoming NPL board will liaise with the office of the NFF General Secretary to agree on dates that will align with the leagues so that there won’t be clashes when the Federation Cup begins. This he said was to ensure that Nigeria as a football playing nation will henceforth observe FIFA free windows.
In his remarks, Chief Kpalukwu thanked Gusau for his kind words while promising the corporation of the NPL Club Owners Association to the football governing body in Nigeria.
Meanwhile a list of three members, Kpalukwu, Alhaji Suleiman Umar and Dominic Iorfa who are chairmen of Rivers United of Port Harcourt, Doma United of Gombe and Lobi Stars of Makurdi were submitted to the NFF for consideration in the incoming NPL board on the request of the football house.
Earlier on Monday, the NPL Club Owners Association had introduced to Gusau its new elected executive led by Kpalukwu as Chairman, Alhaji Umar and Kunle Soname as Vice chairmen north and south. Godwin Enakhena is the body’s new General Secretary while Ferdinand Emeka Ugwuarua is Coordinator.
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