A new professional Football league to rival NPFL is set to debut in Nigeria, at the beginning of next European season, August or September 2020.
Baring any last minute hitch, the league will be unveiled in Abuja, on Saturday June 12, with a press conference to announce the birth of the first privately owned professional football clubs league in the country.
We decided not to let the cat out of the bag. So, we allow the organisers the privilege to unveil the name of the league, logo... and other brand and trademark information.
An insider revealed that a maximum of 10 clubs will pioneer the league which is said to have tactically received the backing of the Youth and Sports Development Minister, Sunday Dare.
If and when eventually started, the League has as N20m star prize for the league winner. And each participating to share 5% on TV right takings.
Findings revealed that a Chief Executive Officer, CEO, (names withheld) has already been slated for the league with a pool of private football heavyweights in the country said to be involved in the venture.
The league has equally been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, Abuja.
Already, those who have been working from behind the scene since late last year to midwife the venture are understood to have sealed a TV right deal which will ensure that the matches are beamed live on the tubes to the sitting homes of the football loving World.
“They have also pulled a N400m take off grant”, an insider hinted Orient Sports on condition of anonymity. “When we start, clubs will get their due share of the funds and the league will be a reference point to others,” he added.
It was also learnt that even though all the participating clubs will be affiliated to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, just as the matches will also be officiated by the NFF accredited referees.
Ironically, winners of the league will have no stake in flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF inter club competitions. That (Nigerian representation in CAF inter club competitions) is for the winners of the NPFL and the federations cup.
One of the major requirements for participation in the Private Clubs League, the insider told us, was that all the clubs must be privately owned and structured to operate like business. They must also own a private stadium.
But their is suggestion that clubs who don’t have private pitches for now should be given time, like, say, five years, to own their stadium.
