NPL, NOW NPLF TO GET TAKE-OFF GRANT

The Nigeria Premier League (NPL) now Nigeria Professional Football League (NPLF) is expected to be handed a take-off grant by the country’s government soon. Reports reaching our sports desk do indicate that the NPLF is working in conjunction with the National Sports Commission (NSC) also doubles as the sports ministry, to secure government subvention for the country’s top flight.

The Nigerian Finance Ministry is also in the picture of helping the top flight out of its financial doldrums our source revealed. Nigeria’s top flight football has been mired in crisis including a number of court suits and financial hiccups which the League Management Committee (LMC) inherited. But the LMC, which is saddled with running the NPFL and chaired by former Nigerian lawmaker, Nduka Irabor, is to get a development grant to help the top flight get underway. “We still can’t resolve the problem (of the title sponsorship) and government is willing to help. We have a smart sports minister coupled with a Finance Minister. Who is willing to see how to assist the league since it employs a large number of through a developmental grant. Also the president of the Football Federation is keen to see the league back in operation. This is the reason we didn’t start the league until we were guaranteed the funds was coming from somewhere,” Irabor started.

Just last week, the LMC announced a name change for the country’s top flight from the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) also known as the Nigeria Football League (NFL) to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). The 2012/13 season of the NPFL is expected to now kick-off on March 9 after a number of postponements.

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