Lagos – The Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has said that it will sanction clubs hosting league matches that failed to provide necessary medical personnel and facilities at the venues.

Tunji Babalola, the Acting Executive Secretary, NPL said on Monday on phone that the board viewed strongly issues relating to players` welfare.

Babalola, who spoke against the backdrop of Bolton Wanderer’s Fabrice Muamba survival after his collapse on the field of play, said it was mandatory for the clubs to provide medical teams at match venues.

Muamba collapsed on the field of play during an FA Cup quarter-final tie at White Hart between Bolton and Tottenham Hotspur on March 17.

“We have our rules and regulation; as a club it is mandatory to have a medical team to be headed by a qualified doctor, there must be provision of well equipped ambulance.

“Without the provision of this amenities, matches will be stopped and the host club automatically losses three points and get sanctioned,’’ the secretary said.

He said with the commencement of the second stanza of the NPL all clubs were expected to have concluded their health fitness test for their players, which will certify them fit for the season.

Babalola, however, called on the federal and state governments to live up to expectation and provide facilities in the public hospitals, and provide adequate remuneration for health workers.

“The NPL cannot do this alone; they (governments) should ensure that the hospitals are well equipped, for instance the hospital that resuscitated Muamba is not owned by the English Premier League.

“Medical personnel should be adequately compensated, so they won’t leave the shores of this country because of poor remunerations, which have lead to academic brain drain in the country,’’ he said.

Babalolasaid that the NPL would ensure that the clubs do not toy with players’ welfare.

He explained that before matches’ kick-off, match commissioners and assessors were expected to inspect the venues and ensure that the necessary logistics were in place.

However, Mutiu Adepoju, the Manager of the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan told NAN that he prayed that such an incident does not occur in the Nigerian league.

“We pray such thing does not happen and such has not happened for a long time. We always do check-ups as and when due,’’ Adepoju said.

He said that although the quality of health services in the country was not comparable to what obtained in developed countries, clubs still managed to conduct medical screening of players.

“We do check-ups even though they might not be as sophisticated as they are in England, but we try to do the best we can,’’ he said. (NAN)