The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has applauded the League Management Company (LMC) – organisers of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) – clubs, the media, and football fans for a highly successful 2015/2016 season which ended last Sunday.
NFF President,AmajuPinnick, presented the league trophy to Enugu Rangers Captain, OkeyOdita, at the NnamdiAzikiwe Stadium (now nicknamed The Cathedral) as the Flying Antelopes won their first title in 32 years.
Said he: “It is no gainsaying that it has been a fabulous season in the NPFL. Everyone has contributed immensely: the LMC, all the clubs, fans, the media and other stakeholders of the league.
“I look back and there are so many things to be happy about. I was there in Kano during the opening match of the season in which Kano Pillars defeated Enugu Rangers with a late goal.
“Football has returned to Maiduguri – which people thought would not be possible – and we have had a number of fascinating Friday Night matches.
“I can boldly say this league season has gone well with huge improvements all round and we had the best team winning.
“A few matches were troubled by security breaches and some referees did not cover themselves in glory. But, at the end, it was a season to be proud of and we can only put in place reforms to make things better in the coming season.”
Pinnick explained that the NFF has been “doing a lot to improve refereeing,” including taking dozens of them to the United Kingdom for capacity enhancement, as well as hosting FIFA Member Association courses.
“Now, the NFF leadership has identified the shortcomings and will initiate positive reforms of the refereeing management process to ensure more effectiveness and improved professional delivery.”
The first reform, aimed at guaranteeing independence and compliance with the rules, would be to divide referee management into three professional and independent committees: Training, Grading and Appointment, Assessment and Performance Review and Compliance, including sanctions for errant referees.
“The last two committees (Assessment and Performance Review and Compliance) would be headed by independent and credible personalities to ensure fairness and prompt actions,” Pinnick pledged.
He praised LMC Chairman, ShehuDikko, who is also NFF second vice president, saying his work ethic and vision alongside LMC Chief Executive Officer, NdukaIrabor, and Chief Operating Officer, SalihuAbubakar, have taken the NPFL to new heights.
“It is not only in the work they do that they have excelled; they have also been there for the other leagues: NNL, NWFL and the NLO.
“The solidarity payments they have made to these leagues as well as the Players’ Union have helped to stabilise the football structure.”
