Nigeria Premier League Gets New Kick-off Date

The organizing body of the Nigeria Premier League, The League Management company (LMC) as issued a stern warning to clubs to shape up or risk losing their place after shifting the commencement date of the 2014/2015 season.

The Nigerian Premier League was due to start on the weekend of February 21-23 but has now been postponed  due to the inability of participating clubs to meet up up registration process period as laid down by the LMC: “Hence the League earlier scheduled to start on February 21-23 will now start on the weekend of March 7 through to March 10.”

The LMC announced through its social media account on Twitter – @LMCNPFL.

The decision was taken after the LMC met in Abuja to appraise reports from Stadium Inspection teams.

LMC Chairman, Hon. Nduka Irabor said that: “We have agreed to accommodate this popular request. Some of the Clubs are grappling with peculiar constraints, including access to funding and validation of registration documentation”

He further explained in details why the LMC thus resolved on a two-week delay for the kickoff following representations from the Clubs: “We have considered the reports of the stadium facilities inspection teams and the need to allow the Clubs two week period to extend the registration process period to enable the Clubs tidy up their documents for certification. which cited their peculiar nature of fund release by govt their principal sponsors & the observations made by LMC Stadium inspection teams”

The LMC is insisting on some minimum facility requirements at grounds proposed by Clubs to host league matches. Such as fire extinguishers, availability of water & electricity, properly constructed technical bench & good playing surface among others

Irabor also added that the Nigerian league will not be extended beyond the new date and that the League will start with only Clubs that meet the minimum requirements

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