January 11 – Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi has written to the chairmen and general managers of the leagues 20 clubs, urging them to guard the reputation of the league as a commercial asset.
Owumi (pictured) emphasised that clubs must adhere to the leagues rules and good governance if it is to build value and sustainability, and that failure to be seen as fit and proper leaders of the game damages the commercial viability of the whole league.
The letter titled, ‘Protecting and Building the NPFL Brand’, promised clubs fairness, excellence and neutrality in the leagues administration and in return asked clubs to take responsibility to “have a responsibility to protect and build the NPFL asset for the good of all stakeholders.” \”At the Secretariat and operational level, our commitment to excellence and fairness remains firm as we go into the crucial part of the season,” said Owumi.
”As club leaders, you are the first Ambassadors of the NPFL because the league entity belongs to you. There will be no league without the 20 participating Clubs, hence your prime place in the affairs of the league cannot be over emphasised.”
A number of NPFL clubs have publicly complained about the league in recent seasons, questioning decisions by the league and even match officials in favour of some clubs. Owumi asked that the complaints be followed through the official channels rather than media channels.
”Having established the first among equals position of the clubs in the NPFL ownership structure, let us recognise the fact that no club owner or administrator should be seen or heard disparaging the League. This is equivalent to pulling down your own house while inside,” said Owumi.
”There are established channels and protocols for ventilating our grievances, which I humbly request for everyone to adhere to no matter how pained we feel about on and off field decisions. The recourse to dragging the NPFL on media platforms is detrimental to the good of the brand.”
While it is not the intention of the NPFL Board to wield the provisions of the Frameworks and Rules on anyone, it must be stated that we are all subject to the rules of the league at all times,” Owumi concluded.
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