The Nigeria Premier League season kicked off last week with clubs not knowing if there is any money coming to them from the NPL. It is a norm that at the beginning of every season, clubs get some percentage from the title sponsors deal. Last season they got some fund from title sponsor,  Globacom but with the firm out of the picture, clubs are not sure if they will be getting anything from anybody. Their only hope now is their state governments who have always funded the clubs.

“It’s  pathetic, the league is on and we do not have an idea when a sponsor will be secured. We do not know if any kobo is coming from the NPL. All we are hoping and praying for is for sponsors to come.

“The various state governments who put in their money in football get very little in return. They do it just to provide entertainment and provide jobs for a few people. Even, the monies we were to get from NPL last season from the sponsorship deal with Globacom, nothing has been paid. So it is difficult  thinking of getting  another money from NPL. I hope, we are able to carry on the league campaign without financial hitches.

The whole exercise makes our football look like a big joke”,Cajethan Nkwopara, Heartland Media officer, said.
On the other hand, Enyimba football club of Aba is confident the club will survive.

According to the media officer, Tonnex  Chukwu, in as much as other clubs are surviving without  sponsorships, Enyimba will survive.
“Well sponsorship is more of an NPL problem, so if other teams are surviving without sponsorship, Enyimba can. In fact, I do not want to comment on that, reason is report by the NPL spokes person Emeka Nwani said that by the end of this month NPL will unveil major sponsors.
“Four companies, Globalcom, MTN are inclusive but I do not know the likely or title sponsor. We just need to wait until the end of the month.

When asked how far Enyimba can go this season, Tonnex said he is confident that the team will do well, even better than last season.
“By the grace of God we hope to do well. Enyimba have a tradition, tradition of winning trophy every other year. It is either we are winning the league or we are winning the Confederation Cup, we are hoping that we can go a step further than what we did last season.

On the effort made by the management of the club to improve the team this season, Tonnex said they  have brought in new players to beef up the team, help the old players and come out best at the end of the season.

“Yes we have brought in new players in the team. What we are doing is beefing up the team, that is bringing new players to help the old ones.