By Godwin Bamigboye.
I just want to add a little to what our highly cerebral persons here have contributed to the issue of the Four Team preseason competition and the controversy it has generated.
The sponsors must be commended for this great gesture which I see as an action towards adding potency to our weak league (NPFL).
The next thing now is Management or Administration of the Preseason competition. Why should managing of the event be a problem? If it is an event involving the NPFL Clubs, I expected that the IMC should have managed or discussed the criteria for selection before coming openly to announce the Clubs that will participate in the competition. As a matter of fact, I see only the Antelopes, Rangers International FC of Enugu, among the old names, as the traditional team in Nigeria because they have never been relegated from the top league. Please, correct me if I am wrong. I see the People’s Elephant, Enyimba as also traditional because of their exploit in Africa.
I don’t know what the IMC will do about the agitations. Some of the IMC members are here with us. They are men of capacity and integrity. I believe they are already working out something.
My advice to IMC. The sponsor has his/her money and the IMC have the expertise to direct the sponsor on how best to maximize the benefits from the event. The IMC is not obliged to take the sponsor’s position, hook, line and sinker. Looking at the peculiarities of Nigeria and the fact that it is targeted at the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Clubs, it is only deal that the IMC advised the sponsors to give a slot to take care of the Northern teams. In the absence of Kano Pillars, I mentioned in my earlier comments, Plateau United who have participated in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederations Cup. Kwara United have also participated in the CAF Competitions. I suggest that the IMC should discuss with the sponsors to raise the number of the participating teams to Six (6) to accommodate Plateau United, Kwara United or any other.
This is a major test of capacity for the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the League. Don’t yield to the the statement that has become very common in the Football circle, “Don’t mind them”, “forget about them”. That is why the agitations in the Player’s Union is lingering. Let us solve the problem NOW.
My last line is that if the Interim Management Committee (IMC) cannot manage the situation, the sponsors can as well go with their money. However, I don’t want them to go with their money. IMC, manage the situation, NOW!
