Lumumba wants relegated clubs to go

The blame for the unpopular decision has since been laid at the door steps of the minister of sports, Alhaji Ibrahim Bio who convened the meeting but could not stop those who attended it from taking such a decision. Speaking to Trustsports yesterday, Lumumba said the decision to stop the clubs from going on relegation […]

The blame for the unpopular decision has since been laid at the door steps of the minister of sports, Alhaji Ibrahim Bio who convened the meeting but could not stop those who attended it from taking such a decision.

Speaking to Trustsports yesterday, Lumumba said the decision to stop the clubs from going on relegation is completely absurd just as he said it is unpopular and will forever be condemnable.

Lumumba explained that the decision to increase the number of clubs in the Nigerian Premier League from 20 to 24 is the most unreasonable thing to do adding that it will definitely worsen the condition of the Nigerian football league.

According to him, even the developed leagues of the world settle for fewer clubs for proper organization of their leagues but the Nigerian league which is still battling with myriad of problems has chosen to increase the number of clubs.

He said instead of taking the number to 24, those who took that decision should have considered reducing the number from 20 to may be eighteen or sixteen in order to reduce the pressure on the clubs and the players.

“Instead of increasing the number to 24, the number of clubs should have been reduced to either eighteen or sixteen so as to minimize the pressure which the present number is bound to exert on the players and the clubs’ finances”, he advised.

The former House of Representatives member wondered how the players would be able to cope with playing close to forty matches as he said some of the clubs may have continental engagements apart from the league matches.

“It will kill the players. They would be burnt out before the end of the season. Imagine the players having to play close to forty eight matches in one season. Some of them may have continental matches to play while others may feature for some of the national teams. It will kill most of the players”.

Lumumba in addition wondered where the thoroughly mal-nourished players in the domestic league will get the strength to cope with the task which the new league format will expose them to on weekly basis.

He therefore called on those who took that decision in order to satisfy certain personalities to reverse it without further ado as he insisted that it will finish what is left of the Nigerian league.

Lumumba noted that the situation which led to the present confusion would have been averted, if the game was played according to the laid down rules.