The chairman of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye has disclosed that fresh efforts have been set in motion towards acquiring a title sponsor for the top-flight competition.
Elegbeleye made this positive revelation during an exclusive interview with Sports247, in which he also admitted that the NPFL must become more efficient in order to successfully woo investors.
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He also pointed out that the current board of Nigeria’s domestic top-flight league has been working round the clock to ensure that they make the competition marketable, especially by aligning it with the European timetable.
The NPFL’s number one official expatiated, “A league without a calendar is not an ideal league, and a league without television coverage cannot be reckoned with.
“In the last three seasons, we have been able to adjust to the European calendar – especially La Liga and the English Premier League, but more still needs to be done.”
The astute football administrator pointed out that the NPFL’s streamlined calendar gives Nigeria’s continental campaigners enough time to prepare for their African contests but wondered why such clubs have not been able to do well in recent years.
“When our clubs are going to play in the CAF Champions League, they have enough time to prepare. That is a big achievement for us.
“But it’s unfortunate that our clubs are not doing well on the continent. It’s like there’s a crisis of confidence and conspiracy of hope, but we are happy with Rivers United.
“They have qualified for the group stage of the CAF Champions League. Hopefully, next season, there will be more improvements,” Elegbeleye enthused.
He concluded with a look at salaries being earned by players at clubs in the NPFL, which he posited is mostly low and irregular, but gave an assurance that officials of the league body are also looking earnestly into the matter.
Elegbeleye admitted, “My concern mainly is that what players in the league are earning now is not what they deserve. That’s because there is no sponsor for the league.
“For sponsors to come, we must put our house in order. We must have a stable calendar and provide assurances that whatever money comes in would be used without any negative stories attached.”
