By Ben Ogbemudia
The NPFL Club Owners on Tuesday issued a threat to the leadership of the League Management Company (LMC) to get a sponsor or risk been removed from the league body.

In a 9 point Communique released after the meeting, the Club Managers also threatened to boycott the ongoing AITEO holding across the country.

According to them ”The meeting observed with deep concern that in the last four seasons the NPFL had no sponsors which have indirectly affected the progress of the league, it, therefore, tasked the LMC to ensure that it secures sponsorship for the League before the end of the season, otherwise the club Owners would have no other choice than to step in.

The Club Owners after a Critical Examination of the schedule provided for the 2021 Aiteo cup, paucity of funds, and congestion in the league fixtures, unanimously resolved to withdraw the participation in the Aiteo cup except if otherwise provided with intervention funds. It further called on the NFF to immediately pay to Kano Pillars FC the outstanding prize money for the last Aiteo Cup

The meeting however reviewed the ongoing 2021 NPFL season and commended the Clubs and other stakeholders for their sacrifices to keep the league going despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic cum global economic crisis. They condemned in strong terms the spate of violence at some league venues and enjoined the LMC to strictly apply the rules accordingly. That state Football Association instead of clubs should be held accountable for any breach of peace at league venues since they are responsible for the provision of security.

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The Association appeal to the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 through the NFF and the Ministry of youth and sports to allow fans into the stadia as obtained in other Football nations of the world with strict adherence to all health protocols. They observed that there is a communication gap between the Association, LMC, and the NFF, it, therefore, called for a robust closer tie amongst the three tiers for effective management of Football matters as they affect the clubs, the league, and the Federation.

The Meeting commended the leadership of the NFF Referees Committee, NRA, and all the officials for the improved officiating so far in the League and urged them to consolidate on the success even as the league moves to the crucial stages. They also praised the League Management Company LMC for sustaining the NPFL.TV has given the league a boost and enjoined all Football stakeholders and fans to subscribe to the NPFL.TV channels.

” Club Owners observed that with the renewed efforts by the NFF to strengthen the ties amongst the relevant stakeholders viz a viz the anticipated review of the statutes, it asked the Federation to include the 20 NPFL clubs into the congress of the NFF with the attendant voting rights”