Why NPFL clubs can’t fly players for local games – Akinyemi

In a chat with the President of Sunshine Stars of Akure, the government who own 18 out of the 20 clubs in the NPFL

The Chairman of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), Otunba Tajudeen Akinyemi has revealed that the poor financial status of Nigeria Professional Football League club sides have made it impossible to fly players for local games.

In a chat with the President of Sunshine Stars of Akure, the government who own 18 out of the 20 clubs in the NPFL are too broke to fully take care of the clubs while revealing that the League Management Company (LMC) are yet to financially support the clubs.

• Controversy trails sack, arrest of Ganduje’s aide
• FG directs increase in passenger service on Lagos-Ibadan rail 

It will be recalled some clubs such as Wikki Tourists, Adamawa United, Kano Pillars were involved in either road accidents or attacked by dare-devil men of the underworld while travelling for league matches.

“For several months now, we have not gotten support from the LMC but it is not their fault too. The sponsors who have promised them have not brought anything to them. 18 of us are government clubs and it is a little difficult to fly when the government is broke.

“Every club is going through financial difficulties as the government is extremely broke. Maybe Rivers Utd, Enyimba and Akwa Utd are doing well, others are struggling,” he said.

When asked if the clubs make attempt to raise funds beyond what the government allocate to them, the LMC South West Director said the multinationals have refused to partner with the clubs.

“Let me use Sunshine Stars as a study case. When I resumed office, Glo who promised us N750m, till date we have not received a dime. We don’t just sit down there and depend on government funds.

“We have written lot of letters to organisations for sponsorships but nothing has come out. It is difficult for LMC who are even supposed to give clubs money are owing their staff,” he stated.