Sponsors request four club for the preseason – Owunmi

The Head of Operations of the Interim Management Committee, Davidson Owumi has shed more light on why only four clubs will take part at the planned NPFL pre-season tournament in Lagos.

He said sponsors who are ready to invest in the nation’s apex league asked for four traditional teams of the league as a start before further expansion could be done next season.

Owumi said, “It was not our personal decision (IMC) to select only four teams to take part in the tournament. Sponsors who are ready to invest in our league wanted only four traditional NPFL teams.

“At this point in time when our league is in dire need of sponsorship, we had little or no option but to agree with their proposal.

“Kano Pillars could have been one of the clubs to play in the tournament but unfortunately, the team is no more in NPFL top flight. This is the main reason why we have, Enyimba, Rangers, 3SC, and Insurance for a start.

“This is a major boost to our league that has been running for some years without sponsorship.

“The sponsors have also agreed to expand the tournament to eight teams next season.”

Owumi also added the IMC is working in line with the vision of the new NFF board to get more sponsors for the league.

“Getting more sponsors for the league is our ultimate target and that is the vision of the new NFF administration.”

The pre-season tournament which will be an annual event in the NPFL calendar is sponsored by the Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation and packaged by Tingo media in collaboration with the NPFL organisers.

The inaugural edition of the competition will be held at the Mobolaji Sports Centre (formerly Onikan Stadium), Lagos from December 1st to 4th.

Winner of the inaugural edition will take home the N100 Million prize money.