Nationwide League One reveals headline sponsor for maiden Cup tourney

By Saheed Afolabi

The Nationwide League One (NLO) have revealed their headline sponsor ahead of the maiden edition of their Cup competition.

Telecommunication giant, MTN was announced by the league body as the major sponsor of the NLO Cup scheduled to begin at the Sani Abacha stadium, Kano and Uyo township stadium.

Chairman of the NLO, Silas Ogara was delighted with the milestone achievement, he cited the credibility of the league is what attracted MTN to pull funds in sponsoring the league.

He further highlighted the plans that the telecommunication brand have in store for the development of football when the league starts as fans will also win lots of freebies at the stadium.

“On behalf of the leadership of the NLO, we are delighted to announce MTN as the headline sponsor of the NLO Cup,” Ogara told the Press.

“The NLO Cup tourney was conceived as a medium to celebrate teams that have excelled in the graduation from the State League to NLO U19 and from the Youth League to the NLO Division One.

“The credibility of the NLO over time has made MTN pitch their tent to the nation’s third-tier domestic league for this project. The project is a success of this partnership in a discussion of over two years, with NLO and MTN to have come to this stage.

“MTN as a responsible corporate organization wants to support Nigerian youths through grassroot football development, as they have identified football as the major source of joy for over 60 percent of the youths.

“The telecommunications brand has identified the Nationwide League One (NLO) as the most critical source and reliable partner to achieve that aim; at the same time.

“MTN will be using the NLO to push their MoMo Money to the minds of all Nigerian youths as a safe platform, to save, do business with their money, and a whole lot of things.

“They will also be dishing out a whole lot of freebies and gift items, to youths that hit the stadium to watch the NLO Cup matches. The telecommunications brand wants to rejuvenate the way Nigerian youths participate in football.”

The NLO founded in 2001 have been the traditional breeding ground for intending professional club sides in Nigeria.

The league boasts of an average of 300 clubs participating in the league competition where eight clubs will see promotion to the NNL every season