The Board of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) identifies with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on efforts to resolve issues/challenges facing our football lately. The NPL is convinced that such holistic approach will be total, encompassing and wishes  the Alh. Maigari led Board a successful tenure.

The 2010/2011 League season kicks off this weekend with the Kaduna Utd FC and Kano Pillars FC match in Kaduna as Star Match on today. Other matches will take place at various designated and approved venues / centers. Consequently, only weekend matches will be played for now until title sponsorship is secured.

Venues that are still on readiness watch list had up to mid-dayof  Wednesday November 3, to inform the NPL Secretariat for their inspection. Otherwise, alternative venue will be assigned by the NPL.

This is pursuant of Article 3.3(3) of the NPL Rules and Regulations of 2010/2011 season. Meanwhile, only Offa Township Stadium and Maman Kontagora Stadium, Minna have been given provisional certification as Gombe Utd FC, Zamfara Utd FC and 3SC are
on the readiness watch list for inspection next Wednesday.

The NPL Board unanimously approved the composition of a Media/Award Committee in line with its vision of informing the public adequately on its activities under the chairmanship of Akin Akinbobola, NPL Board member.

Other members are; Emeka Nwani Head of Media of NPL as Secretary of the Committee, Saidu Abubakar, Victor Ireole, Colin Udoh, Toyin Ibitoye, Bode Oguntuyi, Ejiro Femi Babafemi, Head of Competitions of NPL and representatives of NPL Title sponsor.

Finally, the NPL Board reaffirmed and reconvened its zero tolerance to all forms of crowd violence or hooliganism. This fact has been reconvened to all clubs as the NPL will not allow behaviours or activities that are inimical to the growth and development of our League. Therefore clubs have been advised to enlighten their supporters No midweek games

The Nigeria Premier League have foreclosed the idea of midweek games for the immediate future.   Three postponements of the league’s kick_off date means the competition is now way behind schedule and there were suggestions that midweek games would be used to make up for lost time.

But an NPL statement on Tuesday poured cold water on those suggestions, at least until sponsorship is secured. “Only weekend matches will be played for now until title sponsorship is secured,” the NPL release read.

The league body also warned clubs whose stadia are on its readiness watch list, to arrange for final inspection by November 3, or be forced to use alternative venues.

Kwara United’s Offa Township Stadium, and Niger Tornadoes’ Mamman Kontagora Stadium, two venues previously under that watch list, have passed muster, and been given provisional certification.  Others clubs still facing the possibility of playing outside their home grounds are Gombe United, Zamfara United and 3SC.