By Francis Ajuonuma
In furtherance of its resolve to get the best out of players showcasing their talents in Nigeria’s top League, the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Thursday, August 17, inaugurated a Nine-man Technical Committee saddled with Team of Month selection in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) expected to kick-off in September in centres across the country.
The nine-man technical committee, inaugurated by the NPFL chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, is chaired by former Nigerian international and Everton of England player, Daniel Amokachi.
Speaking before the inauguration ceremony, Elegbeleye emphasised that the idea aims at making the league a brand that Nigerians will be proud to associate with as corporate sponsors, stakeholders, players, and fans.
He explained that the NPFL has already sealed an agreement with a top La Liga side that will see the NPFL Team of the Season embark on a two-week playing tour of Spain to play against top La Liga sides.
“The idea of Technical Committee for Team of the Month Selection may not be entirely new but we’re adding the added flavour and benefits of going to have an end-of-season Team, an All-Star squad that will spend two weeks in Spain playing friendly games with top La Liga sides.
“This is an agreement we have secured with a top La Liga club to host our NPFL Select and arrange for them to play against some other top teams in Spain. This no doubt will be an enriching experience for the players as they will have the opportunity to train and play against some of the very best. It has the added edge of going to form the nucleus of a future CHAN Eagles team,’ he said.
He noted that the selection of the panel members was thoroughly done and based on merit.
“We undertook a thorough process of selecting members of this panel to cut across players, coaches, and the media. We picked persons with the right pedigree and there is no doubt that they will give us the right squad each month,’ Elegbeleye added.
He also urged the panel members to give their best for the growth of domestic football.
“To those we have invited to this panel, please consider this as a call to serve the growth of domestic football because if you were to give us professional billing, we may not meet such demands at the moment. But I can assure you that the NPL Board is going on a trajectory of financial buoyancy that will be unfolded in no distant time.
“I want to on behalf of the NPL Board extend our deep appreciation to you all for accepting to be part of our growth and wish you a very successful service,” he concluded.
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Other members of the panel include Godwin Uwua, Deji Omotoyinbo, Harrison Jalla, Augustine Eguavoen, Mitchel Obi, Segun Agbede, and Davison Adejuwon.
Speaking earlier, Abubakar Lawal, Group Managing Director, GTI Asset Management & Trust Limited, Strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), promised that the company will do all within its capacity to ensure that the aim and objectives of the partnership with the NPFL and Propel Sports Africa are achieved.
