NPFL has reached an understanding with a China-based company to establish a presence in the Chinese market and attract investments from the Asian country
By Emma Ogbuehi
Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has reached an understanding with a China-based company to establish a presence in the Chinese market and attract investments from the Asian country and also promote closer ties between the leagues in both countries.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to that effect was signed on Wednesday at the corporate headquarters of the NPFL. The MoU mandates Hunan Galaxy Global Trade Development Company Limited to operate the NPFL office and approach relevant Chinese businesses and other agencies with a view to growing the league’s presence in one of the world’s advanced economies.
The NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye, described the move as part of continuous efforts to broaden the financial base of the league through innovative approaches in administration.
“We are casting our nets near and far to attract investment and sponsorship to the NPFL so that we would be in a position to give more money to our clubs and they would in turn raise the players’ paycheck.
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“This way, we can retain our best league players here and our clubs can compete well on the continent”, explained Elegbeleye.
In his speech, Austin Akpehe, the CEO of Hunan Galaxy, represented by Idowu James, remarked that the MoU was being signed at a time economic and cultural relationship between Nigeria and China is on the uptick.
“We are particularly proud that this partnership is being launched at a time when the relationship between our two countries is stronger than ever. This was recently reaffirmed by the visit of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to China, where he participated in discussions on trade and cooperation aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between our nations”, stated Akpehe.
Akpehe added, “Today, we are laying the foundation for one of these pillars—sports, and more specifically, Nigeria Football Made in China being jointly led by the NPFL and our company. This MOU represents a bold and visionary step to open a representative office that will serve as a bridge, linking Nigerian football, particularly the NPFL with the biggest economy in the world”.
He was optimistic that operating a representative office in China would unlock endless opportunities that will bring Nigerian sports and culture far beyond national shores.
“It will create avenues not only for the exchange of talent and skills but also for global exposure. The NPFL has long been a symbol of the passion and potential within Nigerian football, and now, with this new marketing strategy the new NPFL board under the initiative of the NPFL Chairman Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and our company, we are bringing that passion to the heart of China’s thriving football atmosphere”, he reiterated.
It is expected that Hunan Galaxy Global Trade Development Company will in addition to marketing the NPFL to the Chinese market, would also facilitate inter-league relationships that would see exchange of playing tours by clubs of both leagues.