Diphtheria Disease: NNL assures clubs of safety for relegation playoffs in Kano

By Wale Mustapha

The board of Nigeria National League, NNL has assured clubs participating in the 2022/2023 relegation playoffs of their safety throughout the duration of their stay in Kano.

There were unconfirmed reports making the rounds that the Diphtheria Disease had engulfed the entire Kano State shortly after the government of the State graciously gave the nod to host the NNL relegation playoffs at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

On Friday, Chairman of the NNL board, George Aluo disclosed that reports of enquiries made through the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, offering assurance that Kano is ‘safe’ and the playoffs will go ahead as scheduled.

“We are in touch with the NCDC to get the right information on the situation and there is no such censor that we should not go to Kano,” Aluo told media.

“We even kept in touch with the Police Commissioner in Kano, CP Mohammed Usani Gumel and we were assured of our security and safety.

“Our advanced party led by NNL Chief Operating Officer, COO, Emmanuel Adesanya who is working with the Local Organising Committee for the success of the playoffs, are on the ground and have also allayed fears of any sort of concern.

“No state of emergency on health has been declared in Kano and it is only normal we place the facts on the table. The NNL relegation playoffs will go on as scheduled. We have put logistics in place and thanks, again, to His Excellency, the Governor of Kano State, Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf for investing in the NNL.”

The eight teams billed to feature in the playoffs will arrive in the ancient city of Kano on Saturday, 5th August ahead of the draw which holds on Sunday, August 6th, with the games slated to start the next day, Monday, August 7.