Paul Bassey: IMC working to return the NPFL on TV
Elder Paul Bassey who is Vice Chairman of the Interim Management Committee of the Nigerian Professional Football League – NPFL has revealed the committee is working to return the league on TV plus other modalities for a successful 2022/2023 season.
The experienced journalist cum Sports administrator made this revelations in an interview as published by journalist Bassey Ibiatisuho.
WHAT ELDER PAUL BASSEY SAID
“Going in as the IMC, we have found out that there are lots of work to be done within a very short time in order to organize a better league football next season.
” We need all the prayers we can get to succeed. Nigerians are so much in a haste to have the league started.
” We need a league sponsor, the Sports Minister wants the league on TV, the NFF President wants the league on TV, there are some contract that are subsisting, we don’t have the details, no proper handing over has been made.
” We have the case of the referees committee that has to be reconstituted, we have the case of the stadiums that must be looked into.”
NPFL ON TV
With his experience as a CAF/FIFA Match Commissioner, Elder Paul Bassey understands the importance of returning the Nigerian Professional Football League on Television but for that to happen, the various match venues must be of acceptable standard.
“If we have our way, we cannot play professional football league in more than eight venues because it’s a tragedy that you can come out second in the league but you cannot play in your home ground in CAF competition, ” Elder Paul Bassey continued.
” Why should the IMC allow clubs to play league matches in venues when at the end of the day CAF will not approve to host continental matches?
” I think we should do things right and give clubs opportunity to upgrade their stadiums to standard.
” If tomorrow we take a decision on it because we have not yet decided, it’s a matter of telling the twenty teams, choose your home ground from the few approved ones.”
LEAGUE FORMAT FOR THE 2022/2023 SEASON
For want of time and in a bid to harmonize the Nigeria football calendar with others major leagues in the world, the Gbenga Elegbeleye led Interim Management Committee is considering an abridged 2022/2023 NPFL season.
According to the Vice Chairman of the IMC, the teams will be divided in two groups. The top three from each group will participate in a Super-Six Playoffs where the league champion will emerge plus qualifiers for CAF club competitions.
LEAGUE RESUMPTION DATE
No date has been announced for the commencement of the 2022/2023 NPFL season.
As hinted by the IMC Vice Chairman, the focus is on finding solutions to identified challenges that may affect the smooth organization of the league.
Rivers United FC were crowned Champions of the 2021/2022 season.
The anomalies witnessed in that campaign had fatal consequences for the League Management Company – LMC and led to the creation of the Interim Management Committee – IMC.
