Transparency in NPFL organisation will lure sponsors – NFF boss Ibrahim Gusau

By Saheed Afolabi

President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau vows to ensure transparency will be taken seriously in the running of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in the bid to attract sponsors.

Speaking during the presentation of 200 million naira takeoff grant to the 20 NPFL clubs at Sandralia hotel, Abuja, the astute football administrator stressed the need for accountability in the management of the domestic league.

While pledging to attend in the league opener in Uyo on Sunday, 8th of January 2023, the NFF boss explained the intent behind the abridged league format and desire to ensure the league campaign ends in May.

“The players must have their rest, they should be able to travel anywhere to enjoy themselves and they must be given that opportunity. The teams representing the country at the continent must also prepare well,” Gusau told media.

“We want transparency, that is the only way more sponsors can come in and trust us, that is the only way Nigerians can support us. I will be in Uyo to start the league on Sunday.”

Gusau concluded that the abridged format was born out of the idea to start the league on time and meet up with CAF deadline for continental competitions.

The NPFL Interim Management Committee (IMC) chairman, Mr Gbenga Elegbeleye said the 200 million naira given to the 20 NPFL clubs is a support to ensure the clubs takes off successfully without any hindrance.

Elegbeleye stated that the winner of the NPFL will go home with a mouthwatering 100 million naira. Though past winners of the NPFL always complain of non remittance of prize money but the IMC led by Gbenga Elegbeleye says that’s the thing of the past and not under the IMC.

NPFL major partners of the NPFL GTI representative, Nelsen Ineh described the takeoff grant as a new era in Nigeria football.

“In few months to come, we will see Nigerian football thriving. We can’t wait for Nigerian football to take its place in the global world. We want to see the Super Eagles dominating africa and ranked amongst the best in the world once again.”

On his part, Chairman of the NPFL Club Owners, Mr Isaac Danladi assured that his colleagues would use the takeoff grant money judiciously and not divert it for personal consumption.