NPL in non-stop action – Clubs groan, NPL insists on Nov. 26 kick off

The NPL dished out fixtures for the rescheduled matches and the remaining four matches. A look at the calendar of activities shows that registration for the new season will hold between October 18 to November 24. Meanwhile the congress to ratify the results of the ongoing season is scheduled for between November 7 to 13. […]

The NPL dished out fixtures for the rescheduled matches and the remaining four matches. A look at the calendar of activities shows that registration for the new season will hold between October 18 to November 24. Meanwhile the congress to ratify the results of the ongoing season is scheduled for between November 7 to 13.

The thrust of this piece is that the NPL’s decision is to commence the 2011/2012 season November 26 less than two weeks after the end of the ongoing season and the clubs are not finding it funny. The decision has since attracted cat calls in some quarters.

It is necessary to know that the NPL is having its most turbulent and longest season due to several factors the most prominent of which is the long battle for the position of chairmanship of the NPL between the incumbent chairman, Mr. Victor Rumson Baribote and the removed chairman, Mr. Davidson Owumi.

Nevertheless, the continental engagements of Enyimba, Kaduna United and Sunshine Stars also made matters worse because matches involving the three clubs had to be postponed. The 2011 general elections also contributed to the taking the old season forward.

It will be recalled that during the reign of Chief Oyuiki Obaseki, NPL organized an abridged version of the league in order to bring it up to date with other leagues in Europe. The effort was aimed at providing opportunities for players in the domestic league to go for trials abroad and return in time to join their clubs in case of any failure to secure foreign contracts. Unfortunately, that effort did not make much sense as the league quickly returned to its usual lateness.

As things stand, even if the NPL eventually gets its way and the league commences on November 26 as suggested, it would be impossible for it to catch up with the other Leagues in Europe. By the time the 2011/2012 NPL season starts, the English Premier League would have gone half way with 13 matches played, La Liga 14, Ligue 1 15, Bundesliga 14 and even the Serie A with the delay occasioned by the players strike would have gone 9 matches.

This means only a miracle would bring the NPL up to date with the other leagues. Moreover, in a country where things hardly run smoothly, unforeseen circumstances might force the 2011/2012 season to suffer the same fate as the ongoing season.

For now, the clubs are kicking furiously and if they have their way, the new season would start in early February 2012. However, indications are strong that the new leadership of the NPL is not looking back.

Acting Executive Secretary of the NPL, Mr. Tunji Babalola told Feverpitch that the new season would have to start on November 26 as stated because too much time has been wasted already. He said between now and November 20, NPL would have completed all issues pertaining to registration of players.

“We have not discussed with the clubs because there is no need to do so. By the time you throw the matter open, there are bound to be divergent views which would drag us backward.

“We do not have time to waste so everything is sacrifice. We have enough time between now and November 20 to deal with all matters relating to registration of players”.

However, the argument on the part of the clubs is that the arrangement would exert too much pressure on them. According to the clubs, their players would need time to recover from the busy season that would end on November 2 and they also would like to recruit and test new players before going into the new season.

Speaking to Feverpitch shortly after the announcement of November 26 as the commencement date for the 2011/2012 season, the General Manager of Kano Pillars FC, Alhaji Abba Galadima said NPL is yet to officially communicate the clubs concerning the proposed date.

According to him, even when they met briefly in Lagos, the clubs were only given the fixtures for the remaining four matches. He said if NPL wants to start the new season within such a short time, it must be with the consent of the clubs.

He therefore said the NPL should convene a congress for the matter to be properly addressed. In addition, he said starting the new season as proposed would amount to killing the players and the clubs.

“We met in Lagos but nobody told us anything about the commencement of the new season. If there is anything like that the NPL will have to convene a meeting of the clubs for us to take a collective decision. Starting the new season on November 26 would be tantamount to killing the players and the clubs.

“We need to recruit new players and also play pre-season matches before going into the season proper. How do they expect us to cope with all the pressure we have passed through?. Most clubs won’t cope with the stress”.

On his part, former international and Chairman of 3SC, Mr. Mutiu Adepoju said it would be a great burden on the clubs but he believes in getting to the river before crossing.

According to him, the most important thing is to end the current season before any other thing. “Well, let us concentrate on ending the ongoing season successfully. When the current season ends, we would then begin to talk about the new season.

“However, I agree with those who feel it would be an extra burden on the clubs. The time is really short but this should not be enough for us to refuse to make sacrifices to get the league back on track”.

Another former International and vice-chairman of Lobi Stars, Mr. Dominic Iorfa said starting the new season on November 26 would expose the clubs to untold hardship. He said the players have been over stretched just as the finances of the clubs have been exhausted due to the long season.

He appreciated the problems of NPL but doubted if it would be possible for clubs to cope with the non-stop participation in the league.

“It will be difficult for the clubs. You see most of the clubs are not properly funded and without a title sponsor, it has been difficult for even the NPL to keep it own obligation to the clubs. Consequently, just as the players are worn out due to the long season, the clubs’ finances too have been over stretched.

All the same, if there is any sacrifice we would make to get the league back on track,let us not keep it back. The NPL has suffered too much crises already”.

Veteran player in the league, Victor Ezeji of Sharks of Port-Harcourt, said the players would really suffer the most if the new season commences on November 26 but no sacrifice should be too much to bring back normalcy in the league.

He however advised that any sacrifice that is being made should be sustained and all the lingering crises that have bedeviled the present season should not be allowed to rear their ugly heads again.

“Yah, it’s going to be stressful especially on the side of the players but we should be ready to make any sacrifice. However, I want to say here that whatever sacrifice we are going to make this time should not be abused. The appropriate authorities should ensure that all the crises in the league are settled once and for all. If this is not done, we would be running in circles”.