Chairman of Nigeria’s League Management Company (LMC) Shehu Dikko has disclosed that Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) games will go ahead for now.
The 2019/20 league season enters its Match Day 25 on Wednesday with ten games already billed to hold across different centres.
However, in the light of the Coronavirus pandemic that has ravaged several countries of the world, calls have been made in Nigeria for the league body to discontinue the season as a precautionary measure.
Following the briefing of Mr. President from myself and the Minister of State for Health on COVID 19, Mr. President approved the immediate postponement of Edo Sports festival to a future date
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— Sunday Dare (@SundayDareSD) March 17, 2020
Earlier on Tuesday, Nigeria’s National Sports Festival (NSF) earlier billed to commence on Sunday in Benin City, Edo State was postponed indefinitely due to fears surrounding the spread of the Coronavirus.
In the wake of that postponement, Dikko told www.aclsports.com that the league body are working with the ministries of Sports and Health to ensure the best decisions are made always.
“Well, on the COVID 19 we have to watch and work with Government Directives and we have been asking questions both through the Minister of Sports and contacts at the health authorities,” began Dikko.
“Now the Health authorities have advised for the National Sports Festival to be postponed, we are duty bound to also review our situation.
Still on #COVID19, tomorrow's @LMCNPFL Match Day 25 games HAVE BEEN given the all clear to go ahead.
According to @ShehuDikko, the league is in constant checks with the Ministry of Health for advice. He adds that after tomorrow's game, they will review further on future games.
— Fisayo Dairo (@FisayoDairo) March 17, 2020
“Thus, after tomorrow (Wednesday)’s NPFL games, we will have to review if to revert all the games to closed door like being done in some countries like Turkey and or postpone for a few weeks.
“We still have to consult the authorities appropriately in this regard,” he added.
Nigeria’s top flight (NPFL) is the only league currently ongoing in the country with the women’s top flight billed to start their new season on Wednesday.
