IMC assures NPFL clubs, stakeholders of fair and strict adherence to guidelines

By Wale Mustapha

The Interim Management Company has been reassured stakeholders and followers of the Nigeria Premier Football League of unhindered final fixtures of the abridged season to ensure its successful interim tenure.

Upon inauguration, the IMC were mandated by the Nigeria Football Federation to make the NPFL more competitive, attractive to corporate sponsors and blend with the international global practice and Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi revealed that they will set up a monitoring team to ensure proper monitoring at all match venues.

“We are happy so far with the performance of the clubs, the conduct of majority of our Match Officials and the fans in most venues,” the IMC administrator told media.

“But, it’s never perfect and we are working to plug all gaps especially at this last stage when desperation has set in. We have reviewed all outstanding fixtures in relation to how crucial the stakes are to the clubs and we are confident of nipping any misadventure by any Club Administrator or even our Match Officials.”

The former General Manager of Enugu Rangers disclosed that the Committee is working with relevant bodies, including Security Agencies, the club administrators, the Referees and the NFF to forestall any possible compromise in the final fixtures.

“We have always worked with every organ including the security agencies, the Referees body and the NFF to ensure the very best standards are upheld but being the last game of the regular season, we have upped the ante to deliver the very best”, the IMC boss assured.

“While it may not be in our interest to disclose all the strategies we have in place, it is also important to make it known that Security Intelligence unit are already monitoring some Clubs Officials in high risk games with a view to nipping in the bud any untoward developments”, he concluded.

The final fixtures in Group A will be decided on Sunday across the five centers while that of Group B has been pit on hold for the remaining outstanding matches be concluded.