Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has come under serious attack following its plan to ban some clubs currently operating in
the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and other tiers of
nation’s league at the end of the on-going season.
At the end of NFF’s Executive Committee meeting in Abuja on Tuesday,
the body, among other issues, declared that effective from the end of
the current football season, no two clubs under the umbrella of one
‘Holding Company/State Government/Individual Owner shall be eligible to
participate in the same League.’
With such declaration, the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF may have concluded
plans to ban clubs such as Enyimba of Aba or Abia Warriors, two clubs
being financed by the government of Abia State in the NPFL.
In
the same way, clubs such as Warri Wolves FC, Delta Force of Asaba, Ika
Rangers of Agbor, Delta Stars of Ughelli and Isoko United of Oleh may
also fall under the hammer. All the five clubs, as well as Delta Queens
FC of Kwale, are sponsored by Delta State government. While Warri Wolves
and Delta Force operate in the Nigerian National League (NNL), Delta
Stars, Ika Rangers and Isoko United are in the Nationwide Leagues.
Although, 3SC of Ibadan and Crown FC of Ogbomosho currently operate
in different league, there is the possibility of the two clubs playing
together in the NPFL if Crown gains promotion.
Former Green Eagles winger, Adelabu Adegoke and the Chairman of Delta
State Sports Commission, Tony Okowa yesterday described the move by the
NFF as ‘unwarranted.’
“What message is the NFF trying to give to Nigerians,” Adelabu
queried. “To me, this is one of the most stupid ideas to come from the
football house. As far as the various clubs follow the rules and
regulations governing our league, I don’t see any reason why someone
somewhere should make such a move to stop them. The NFF should first of
all consider the economic benefits of such clubs to the society. There
is no job anywhere, and for some state government to float two or three
clubs is a way of creating employment for the jobless youths. If the NFF
forced the state government to disband one or two of such clubs, what
does they (NFF) expect the players and the officials to do? As I said,
this move is unwarranted,” Adelabu said.
Also speaking with The Guardian yesterday, the Delta Sports
Commission boss, Tony Okowa said: “I don’t see any reason for such move
by the NFF to ban such clubs. In Delta State, we are using the clubs to
build football at the grassroots. We also use the clubs to provide
employment for the youths.”
Chairman of Abia Warriors FC, Chief Emeka Inyama told The Guardian
that he would react at the appropriate time saying: “I want to
understand what the NFF is trying to do before I react.”