The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has been postponed for the third time, with the kick-off date yet to be announced. This delay has been attributed to the need for members to focus on the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The Chief Operating Officer of the League, Davidson Owumi, cited stakeholder representations and logistical challenges as the reasons for the postponement.
The much-anticipated kick-off of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has once again been postponed, leaving football fans across the country frustrated.
This latest delay marks the third time the kick-off date has been pushed back since the original schedule of 26 August. The new kick-off date, which was set for 8 September, has now been shelved indefinitely, as it coincides with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL, explained the rationale behind the decision in a press statement.
"We had everything set for the kick-off in Ibadan on Saturday, but after considering representations from various stakeholders, we decided to prioritize the AGM in Uyo," said Owumi.
He further elaborated on the logistical challenges that led to the postponement.
"One of the major factors was the complex logistics involved in having our Chairman and Club leadership travel from Ibadan to Uyo. We want to ensure that everyone can be present at the AGM, which is an important event for our league," he explained.
The decision to postpone the kick-off was communicated to the clubs, advising them to stand down their travel plans.
"Note, therefore, that there will be no flag-off game this Saturday, September 9, as originally planned," read a letter sent to the clubs.
Football fans across the country have expressed their disappointment at the latest delay, with many taking to social media to vent their frustrations.
This has become a recurring issue in Nigerian football, as there has hardly been a season in the past 20 years where the league kicked off on the initially announced date.
The NPFL had previously set the 8 September date in the hopes of finally starting the much-anticipated season. However, the need to prioritize the AGM and the logistical challenges involved forced the league organizers to once again postpone the kick-off.
Owumi assured football fans that a new kick-off date would be communicated in the coming days, and urged them to remain patient.
Despite the frustrations surrounding the delay, many believe that taking the time to address internal matters and ensure the smooth running of the league is essential for the long-term growth and success of Nigerian football.
The postponement of the NPFL kick-off highlights the need for better planning and coordination among stakeholders to avoid last-minute changes. It also underscores the importance of improving infrastructure and logistical arrangements to ensure a seamless start to the season.
As football enthusiasts eagerly await the new kick-off date, they hope that the league can overcome these challenges and provide a thrilling and competitive season for fans to enjoy. Only time will tell when the NPFL will finally kick off, but one thing is certain – the anticipation continues to build.
Source of content: OOO News 2023-09-08 News
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