By Phillip Adefioye
Former President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN Mr. Dan Ngerem has challenged the National Sports Commission, NSC and the Nigeria Premier League, NPL Board to throw open the bid process for the sponsorship of the Premier League.

Speaking to Saturday Vanguard Sports, Ngerem said if the bid process is transparent, many more individuals or corporate organisations will show interest and bid to sponsor the league which value he puts at over N5 billion.

According to Ngerem, the initial process which led to litigations, first by Globacom and again by Total Promotions, which bid on behalf of MTN, was not transparent and would not augur well for the country’s football.

Ngerem

He said if the NSC or sports ministry truly wants the country’s football to return to its glory days when fans filled the stadia even before kick-off, then the bid process must be transparently carried out.

He advised that for the bid process to be genuine and acceptable, a reputable organisation like KPMG should be contracted as the umpire while individuals like Rev. Moses Iloh, Adokiye Amiesimaka, Chief Molade Okoya Thomas, Akintola Williams, J.K Randle, Chief Segun Odegbami and Harrison Jalla should serve as observers.

He added that apart from KMPG being drafted as umpire and the aforementioned individuals as observers, the bid process should be beamed live to Nigerians so that a true winner will be seen as have truly emerged.

The one time vice chairman of the Marketing Committee of the Africa Athletics Association disclosed that as someone who owns the highest bid right for the Africa Cup of Nations in partnership with Africa Nes Exchange (AFNEX), he was ready to join in the bid process as an individual or a company.

“I own the biggest property right of the Africa Cup of Nations in partnership with Africa News Exchange, AFNEX, since 2004. I must tell you this, the Nigeria Premier League is worth more than N5 billion compared to the N2.5 billion  offered by MTN (through Total Promotions). Why can’t the NPL throw the offer open?

“Let the offer be open this time around and I will also contest for it either as an individual or as a company but they should stop toying with the national treasure. We are in an internet world where the bidding can be announced. They should stop toying with our collective intelligence,”Ngerem said, stressing that those who must come to equity must come with clean hands.