The 2022/2023 season of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has gotten a tentative kick-off date of December 1. And it will be an abridged format.
Feelers from the Interim Management Committee of the NPFL hint that the 2022/23 NPFL will end in May 2023.
This is to enable the Nigerian football calender to align with that of Europe and the rest of the world.
“We are planning to start the league season in December and hopefully conclude by May next year in order to align with European season and check the frequency of exodus of players to foreign countries league,” our IMC source who requested anonymity divulged.
“The league has to be abridged because we don’t have time. And we have to ensure that we meet the deadline set for the completion of the league season. It is not easy, but with the cooperation of the clubs, match officials, sponsors and the NFF I think we can meet the targeted dates.”
Our source also revealed that the IMC is also working round the clock to ensure that the NPFL is on television, adding that they are discussing with NTA and other cable and terrestrial stations.
Sports ministry set up Interim management committee to oversee NPFL
The Nigerian Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has established an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to oversee the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)’s operations.
The League Management Committee (LMC), which was recently deemed illegal by the Sunday Dare-led ministry, will be replaced by the IMC.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), acting on a directive from the ministry, also revoked the LMC’s licence.
Gbenga Elegbeleye, a former director general in the ministry, will preside over the newly established body as chairman. With veteran journalist and football executive Paul Bassey serving as vice-chairman.
Davidson Owumi, a former striker for Enugu Rangers, is in charge of operations. Olumide Bamiduro serves as secretary.
Members of the IMC are as follows –
- Gbenga Elegbeleye – Chairman
- Paul Bassey – Vice Chairman
- Davidson Owumi – Head of Operations
- Kunle Soname
- Daniel Amokachi
- Calvin Emeka Onwuka
- Aliyu Adamu
- Rep of the NFF.
- Rep of the Nigeria Police Force
- Barrister Danladi Ibrahim.
- Olumide Bamiduro. Secretary
