Elegbeleye insists on NPFL’ August kick off date
Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye has reiterated that the 2023/24 NPFL season will kick off on August 26, www.aclsports.com reports.
Following the conclusion of the 2022/23 season, the league body announced that the new season will get underway in August and it seems there is no going back on that proposed date according to the Chairman.
Elegbeleye, who spoke after the inauguration of the newly constituted board of the topflight league by the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau on Wednesday in Abuja, said there is no going back on the proposed kick-off date, adding that all arrangements have been made to ensure the season gets underway on that weekend.
“The kick off-date is definite,” said Elegbeleye to newsmen after the inauguration.
“We have taken all that will ensure the smooth sailing of the new season with the intention to align with the European season. We hope the season ends on schedule with consideration of other football programs of the Nigeria Football Federation.
“Last season, the league winners got N100 million as prize money. This season, we are offering an improved package of N150 million with some of the prize money earmarked for facility improvement and players’ welfare. We want every club to update their stadia and improve their players’ remuneration for better performance,’ he added.
He also went on to speak about the facilities in the league and what steps will be taken to ensure the clubs continue to comply with the set rules.
“All the stadia classified as unfit to host NPFL matches remain banned, subject to inspection while that of the newly promoted clubs will also be inspected before the season starts. Any stadium that doesn’t meet the set standard will not be allowed to host any league game.”
“All through last season, we ensured that match officials got their dues two days before a game. We shall continue like that this season and will not hesitate to recommend any referee found wanting to the appropriate authorities for disciplinary actions,” Elegbeleye concluded.
Elegbeleye, who served as the head of the Interim Committee last season, will now lead the new board for the next two years to reposition and improve the standard of the NPFL.
