NPFL: 16 clubs boycott abridged NPFL draw in Abuja

The contentious draw of the 2022/23 Nigeria Skilled Soccer League season was carried out on Wednesday in Abuja, with solely 4 golf equipment 3SC, Remo Stars, Niger Tornadoes and newly promoted Doma United in attendance, whereas the 16 others, who most popular the complete league, had been absent in protest over the format of the league, The PUNCH reviews.

Whereas the draw signaled the readiness of the Interim Administration Committee to proceed with the abridged format of the league, the choice of the IMC to undertake format for the 2022/23 season didn’t go down nicely with many of the golf equipment, with the Membership Homeowners Affiliation, the umbrella physique of the 20 NPFL golf equipment, rejecting the abridged league.

Secretary of the Membership Homeowners Affiliation, Alloy Chukwuemeka, confirmed to The PUNCH that solely 4 golf equipment attended the ceremony, whereas the 16 others, who boycotted the occasion, confirmed that the membership homeowners maintained their place on the format of the league.

He additionally mentioned that the proposed assembly of the membership homeowners for Asaba, the Delta State capital, didn’t maintain on Wednesday to be able to search methods of reaching a compromise over the much-debated format.

“Our assembly in Asaba didn’t maintain as a result of we needed to embrace peace,” Chukwuemeka mentioned. “I feel all of us are working collectively, as a result of it’s all about coming collectively on a roundtable in order that we will trend a approach ahead. The progress of soccer is the principle factor, it isn’t about curiosity.

“We hope within the coming days, we’ll all come along with the IMC and NFF so we will forge forward on a standard entrance. With out that, the membership homeowners stand is on a straight league and we showcased it right now (Wednesday) by not attending the draw. And the voting we did earlier got here out as nicely, 16-4,” Chukwuemeka mentioned

On the occasion held in Abuja, the 20 golf equipment had been divided into two teams of 10 groups every with the league set to begin January 8, 2023 and finish in Could 2023, as projected by the IMC.

Group A of the abridged league has Kwara United, Nasarawa United, final season’s runners-up Plateau United, newly promoted Gombe United and Bendel Insurance coverage, in addition to El Kanemi Warriors.

Eight-time champions Enyimba, 2021 champions Akwa United, Taking pictures Stars and Remo Stars full the groups in Group A.

In Group B, champions Rivers United are joined by Niger Tornadoes, newly promoted Doma United and Bayelsa United, Wikki Vacationers, Lobi Stars, Abia Warriors, Dakkada FC, Enugu Rangers and Sunshine Stars.

Match-day one fixtures in each teams had been additionally launched and that may see Rivers start their title protection in Group B towards Lobi.

In response to the proposal of the IMC, a Tremendous Six play-offs of the highest three groups from every group will probably be performed to find out the eventual champions of the season, whereas the winners will earn a sum of N100m, simply as every membership will obtain a N10m take-off grant earlier than the beginning of the season.

Some NPFL golf equipment, together with these in attendance and those who had been absent, have posted the draw updates on their numerous social media accounts.

Taking pictures Stars of Ibadan posted an official affirmation of the draw on Twitter.

We’ve been drawn in Group A alongside Nasarawa United, Enyimba, Akwa United, Bendel Insurance coverage, Plateau United, Gombe United, Kwara United, Remo Stars, Elkanemi Warriors.

“We head for the Tin Metropolis Jos for the league opener towards Plateau Utd on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023,” the membership tweeted after the draw.

Enyimba additionally posted a photograph of two of its gamers after the draw with the caption, “Identify a job that brings extra pleasure. We’re ready! #Elephant.”

Tornadoes, Remo and Dakkada additionally posted the draw ceremony on their social media handles.

Stakeholders are of the opinion that the majority government-owned golf equipment kicked towards the abridged league as a result of it will not enable them milk their governments financially based mostly on the variety of matches they should play within the season: 38 matches for full season in comparison with 18 matches they’ll play within the abridged format.

“These governments golf equipment should not prepared for the actual enterprise of soccer. As you’ll be able to see, not one of the authorities golf equipment are speaking about sponsors for his or her golf equipment,” a high league supply mentioned.

In the meantime, IMC chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, once more emphasised on the necessity for the golf equipment to abide by laws guiding the league.

“Golf equipment have been knowledgeable to shun each act of violence throughout the course of the league.

“Any membership which engages in violent conduct is not going to be sanctioned with N500,000.00 as was the case prior to now, however three factors will probably be deducted as punishment. We all know what it means to have three factors deducted from factors already earned by a membership within the league,” he mentioned.