The Nation Newspaper

Tag: LMC

  • Bayelsa Utd players refuse to sign registration form

    Bayelsa Utd players refuse to sign registration form

    By Taofeek Babalola

    Players of Bayelsa United have demanded to talk with the club management before puting pen to paper for the 2014 Glo league registration form.

    SportingLife investigation at the team’s camp in Ijebu-Ode over the weekend, reveals that the players have declined to sign the club form given to them by the club’s management.

    It was gathered that the club’s secretary, Miss Thelma Agara stormed the team’s camp in Ijebu-Ode on Saturday and handed over the forms to the captain, Salomon Junior to be distributed to his teammates without any words.

    As soon as the other players collected the forms from the captain, it was learnt, that they refused to sign it and demanded to have a face to face talk with the management before they put pen to paper.

    Some of the players who spoke with SportingLife on condition of anonymity claimed that the club still owed them 85 per cent of last season signing-on fees and they had not negotiated details of this season contract.

    The League Management Company (LMC) early this year announced the cancellation of players’ signing-on fees and the players thought it will be wise for the management to have discussion with them before giving them forms to fill.

    “We are not ready to sign any form because we have something in our mind to discuss with the management. We have received the forms but we won’t sign it. Our 85 percent signing-on fee of last season is still there and we have not heard words from the management about this season contract yet. We want to sit down with management and know what we are signing,” a player told SportingLife.

    When contacted, the team’s Technical Adviser, Ladan Bosso said: “In any rumour there must be an iota of truth. Even I myself didn’t know that the secretary came into the camp. I just heard about it.”

    Bayelsa United will represent the country in this year CAF Federations Cup.

  • Improved Global League Rating: LMC credits reforms

    Improved Global League Rating: LMC credits reforms

    The League Management Company (LMC) has reacted to the latest ranking of Nigeria as the fourth strongest league in Africa by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) and said it is a confirmation that the league’s reforms which began last year is having a positive impact.

    Chairman of LMC, Hon. Nduka Irabor said, “we are delighted because the gains of Nigeria on the listing is a validation of the work we have done these past months and we are encouraged by such good tidings coming from an independent international assessor”.

    On-going reforms in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) was initiated in the last one year which falls within the research capture period of January 1st to December 31st 2013, during which Nigeria climbed seven steps from 60th to 53rd strongest league in the world with total points of 332.50.

    According to the LMC Chairman, “This ranking portends good for the league; it is a huge positive for the league especially now that the Clubs have agreed to comply with the Licensing regulations, that the commercial corporate community is showing increasing interest in partnering with the league and at such a time the league has drawn huge followership from the youth population on social media”.

    Irabor sees the ranking as a precursor of the new direction the League has been moving to and he enjoined the Clubs, their players and all stakeholders to build on the gains of the past season to further reposition the league. He said that while improved ranking hasn’t been the motivation for the on-going re-engineering of all aspects of the league, “We are gratified that the effort is yielding positive results as seen in this internationally acclaimed research that presented the top 125 strongest leagues of the world. We are indeed heading back-up where we belong”.

    IFFHS, a research organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland computes its annual rating on the basis of all National League, FA Cup, Continental and Intercontinental results of the clubs from countries. The recent rating, according to IFFHS covers the period from January 1st 2013 to December 31st, 2013 during which the League Management Company (LMC) organized the NPFL sponsored by Globacom, one of Africa’s leading telecommunication firms.

    Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco are the African leagues ranked ahead of Nigeria on 31st, 46th and 47th respectively.

  • … Players, management to negotiate contracts in Oba

    … Players, management to negotiate contracts in Oba

    THE Enugu Rangers’ management has decided to leave for Rojenny Stadium, Oba, near Onitsha where the club are camped for pre-season, so as to begin contract discussions with the team’s players ahead of the next Glo Premier League season which starts on February 21.

    Rangers finished fifth after a late push last season with 58 points from 38 matches but the club are making efforts to ensure that the close to 30-year cup drought is ended this season, hence the move to Oba to resolve matters arising from the new enhanced salaries ordered by the League Management Company (LMC).

    Rangers’ director of media and publicity, Foster Chime told SportingLife that with the new order in the Glo Premier League no player in the Enugu side would get anything less than N150,000 monthly and that plans were underway to carry the Enugu State Government along since the task of sticking with the new arrangement rests with it.

    He expressed optimism that the contract negotiations won’t breed any ill-feeling noting that the club management has the interest of the players at heart as another league season commences soonest.

    Meanwhile, Rangers are discussing with Bendel Insurance and other clubs with friendly matches in view as they get set for the commencement of the premier league season.

  • LMC Chairman pays glowing tribute to the late Ojidoh

    Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Hon. Nduka Irabor has paid tribute to the late John Chukwuma Ojidoh and enjoined football administrators to emulate his virtues of selfless service and dedication in public service.

    J.C. Ojidoh, a Justice of Peace and most revered traditional chief in Illah, Delta State, died Monday night at the age of 87 and Irabor recalled his last encounter with the late former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation Disciplinary Committee saying, “Pa JC Ojidoh was only 15 days ago offering prayers of leapfrogging to the peak of noble aspirations in all human endeavours in 2014”

    Ojidoh, a former Chairman of the Old Bendel State Football Association, retired School Principal, FIFA-badged Referee and football development advocate during his life time, also held several other key positions in sports including heading investigative panels that made insightful recommendations on developmental issues and also headed the very popular Pepsi League Awards panel from 1996 to 2001.

    The LMC Chairman said there is a lot to learn from the personal and professional lifestyle of the late icon of football administration who he described as “genteel and firm, at home with the old and the young “. The late Pa Ojidoh, incidentally hailed from the same town with Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles Manager and a former Super Eagles captain and Irabor recalled a recent encounter with him saying, “Pa JC Ojidoh, even in his age-induced feeble state was very mentally alert and laced most of his admonishments with sporting anecdotes one of which was his light hearted description of his feeble state as ‘doing extra time on wheelchair”.

    In a further eulogy to the late Ojidoh, Irabor declared “Pa JC Ojidoh was without an iota of doubt, Nigeria’s No. 1 football supporter. He had an inestimable repertoire of football history and administration he freely shared with those who sought him out and some of his thoughts were often shared with readers of one of the popular national newspapers”

    Irabor prayed for the repose of his soul saying “He was a most dignified Justice of Peace and without equivocation, Pa Ojidoh will be sorely missed by both those who knew him or read him. A Northern Star is gone. May you sojourn well and may the Almighty Lord grant you sweet repose in the great beyond.’

  • 2013/2014 Globacom Premier League draw: LMC threatens to dissatisfy clubs over players salary default

    2013/2014 Globacom Premier League draw: LMC threatens to dissatisfy clubs over players salary default

    The League Management Company (LMC) said it would dissatisfy clubs over default in the payment of the agreed N150,000 minimum wage for the Globacom Premier League players.

    The Chief Operating Officer of the company, Salihu Abubakar, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday after the LMC conducted the draws for the new league season. He said that adequate measures would be taken to ensure clubs comply with the agreement.

    “We will be conducting sports check on the clubs during the season; that means we can go and ask for their books and confirm if the players have been paid. We can dissatisfy the club if it fails to pay its players during the season,’’ he said.

    The LMC’s threat followed the 2013/2014 Globacom Premier League draw conducted on Tuesday which paired pre-season football tournament winners, Enyimba FC against Sunshine Stars FC of Akure.

    The pairing, which looked like the star match of the week, would see Enyimba play their first away game of the season, while Rangers International FC, Enugu would host Nembe City FC. The Globacom Premier League matches expected to begin on February 21 would see league debutantes Giwa FC host Kano Pillars, while Warri Wolves welcome El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri.

    It would be a battle of the South and North as new comers Abia Warriors play host to Kaduna United, while Akwa United FC play Gombe United in Uyo.

    Bayelsa United and Sharks FC of Port Harcourt would face each other in the battle of the Southsouth, FC Taraba and Nasarawa United would slug it out up North.

    Elsewhere, Heartland FC of Owerri would wait to confront Dolphins FC in Owerri, while Crown FC of Osogbo travel to Makurdi to face Lobi Stars FC.

    The Chairman of Kano Pillars FC, Abba Yola, in an interview with NAN, said their first game against league debutantes Giwa FC was a “blessing in disguise’’.

    “We are happy and excited with the draw, having to play our first match with a newcomer. Away will help us to discover how strong the debutantes and the old teams are,’’ he said.

    The Chairman of Nasarawa United, Isaac Danladi said his team would ensure it picks the three points against Globacom Premier League debutantes, FC Taraba.

    “The league is going to be exciting because I am playing my first match away to FC Taraba and we are looking at that match with great expectation,’’ Danladi said.

  • Odegbami calls for tougher punishment

    Odegbami calls for tougher punishment

    • For moral rules’ violators

    A former Green Eagles player, Segun Odegbami, on Monday in Abuja called for tougher punishment for violators of the moral rules guiding the Globacom Premier League.

    Odegbami spoke on the day two of the 2013/2014 pre-season workshop organised by the League Management Company (LMC) for captains, chairmen, media officers and chairmen of supporters clubs of the clubs.

    “I suggest that extreme measures be taken in any instance where there is a clear infraction of the basic moral rules of the game. I am talking about moral rules now, not the content of the match. Nobody should go and interfere with any the decision of the referee. Beyond that, there should be very strict and extreme conditions,’’ he said.

    Odegbami, one of the resource persons at the workshop, pointed out that the game of football was not all about winning. He said efforts should be geared towards making football an enjoyable game for the spectators and players in order for marketers and investors to have value for their money.

    “This will make everybody go back home with the satisfaction that they have seen a game that has integrity. If you win it, let it be seen that it was won with integrity, and if you lose, lose the same way. But be sure that you have given your best.

    “You cannot go and intimidate a referee and expect him to perform well. You only kill the game and it cannot progress. It is a fact of reciprocity, because as you have done to somebody, another person will also do to you.

    “That is why winning away from home is almost becoming impossible in our league, because teams will first of all count their home matches and give themselves points. That is also why clubs also keep the telephone numbers of all the referees, and their bank account numbers to negotiate on matches,’’ Odegbami said.

    He explained that every negative action in the league has its repercussion. The former Chairman of gateway FC of Abeokuta then proposed the introduction of secret monitors to identify violators of the league rules.

    Odegbami said the LMC should be responsible for match officials’ security to ward off the influence of state Football Association officials who would want match proceeding to go in their favour. He urged the LMC to liaise with the Commissioners of Police in the states to provide security for the match officials.

    This, he said would make them (match officials) have little or no interaction with the state FA officials.

    In his paper titled “Curbing violence at match venues”, Sani Mohammed, a Commissioner of Police from the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja urged football clubs to always co-operate with the police.

    Mohammed said the co-operation would help the police in the discharge of their duties without looking for scapegoats at match venues.

    Onyeali Ikpe, another resource person at the workshop, said league stakeholders, especially the LMC, must first add value to the league before it could be attractive to prospective sponsors. Ikpe noted that investors valued products the way they were presented.

    NAN reports that the workshop which ends on Tuesday is a continuation of the earlier one organised for match officials as well as medical personnel of Globacom Premier League clubs on Saturday.

    The workshop, taking place at the Abuja National Stadium, is part of LMC’s pre-season programme expected to usher in the 2013/2014 Globacom Premier League season on Feb. 21.

  • Enyimba will ‘fight’ Pillars – Baraje

    Enyimba will ‘fight’ Pillars – Baraje

    From Tunde Liadi,Owerri

     

    Enyimba’s head coach, Zachary Baraje has hinted that the People’s Elephant won’t play ‘soft’ despite being tipped as the overwhelming winners of the League Management Company(LMC)’s Super Four pre-season tournament when they host Kano Pillars in the final day of the games today in Abuja.

    The Aba Millionaires have maximum points from two matches after wins over Bayelsa United(3-0) and Warri Wolves(2-0) and sit comfortable at the pole position with six points and plus five goals difference while Pillars, Warri Wolves are only left to chase the crumbs with three points apiece and inferior goals difference. Bayelsa United are yet to record a point after two losses to Enyimba and Pillars.

    Enyimba will play against the reigning league champions today with relaxed minds with words rife that they would only miss the first position if they lose by 6-0 to the Sai Masugida at the Abuja National Stadium.

    Despite the odds in favour of the Aba Millionaires, Baraje told SportingLife that his boys will end the Super Four with a flourish against Pillars.

    “We thank God we beat Warri Wolves. It was a very tough and very physical match but we thank God we have put that behind us. We are firmly focused on our game against Pillars.

    “We know that it won’t be easy and that we would be declared the Super Four winner if we don’t lose scandalously. We will go out against Pillars with the determination to win and that is what we are focused on. Our objective is to have a dignified preparation for the CAF Champions League,” Baraje told SportingLife.

    Baraje also confirmed that the People’s Elephant would head back to Aba immediately after the Super Four with barely a week to their preliminary round first leg tie against their Togolese counterparts in the CAF Champions League billed for Aba on February 9th.

  • LMC salutes Eagles’ resilient spirit

    LMC salutes Eagles’ resilient spirit

    The League Management Company (LMC) has commended the resilient spirit of the Super Eagles in overcoming a 3-0 lead to oust Morocco in the quarter-finals of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa and said the victory is consistent with the vision to achieve a responsive and sustainable professional league in the country.

    Chairman of the LMC, Nduka Irabor who has been in Abuja for the Glo Premier League Pre-season tournament said the performance against the Atlas Lions of Morocco couldn’t have come at a better time than now that the foundations for a truly professional league is being consolidated with the on-going reforms to make the Clubs to meet global training and administrative standards.

    “Thank you for making this bold statement about our League, Thank you for affirming that our league is good and thank you for responding to our charge to be good ambassadors of the league,” Irabor enthused.

    “The competitive spirit exhibited by the Eagles in South Africa last night is consistent with the competition in our league which ended in a photo finish in the last season and it is a reflection of the potentials in our league which has been hardly tapped and which some persons have so far not come to terms with,” added Irabor.

    “It has never been in doubt that we have the talents and the commitment of players to compete at the highest level and staying focused to come back from a three goals deficit is confirmation that the potentials to be the best in the world is in this league,” Irabor affirmed.

    He commended the players for their guts and depth and urged them to focus on the remaining games until the trophy is brought back to Nigeria to confirm the country’s supremacy in African football.

    “Nigeria has been on the ascendancy in football and it is noteworthy to recognize the contributions of the domestic league players in this development with the efforts of the boys who have been part of Coach Stephen Keshi’s success in the period under review,” Irabor stated.

    “Nigerians have to show more faith in this League. We have to get more involved by giving financial and moral support as individuals, governments and Corporates to restore the pride of the game locally. We’ll done boys. Remember; it is not yet over but you can excel even at the highest level.”

  • LMC urged to negotiate salaries for players in premiership

    LMC urged to negotiate salaries for players in premiership

    A football buff, Igwe Onuoha, on Wednesday urged the League Management Company (LMC) to negotiate salaries for players in the Globacom Premier League with their clubs.

    Onuoha, the Media Officer of Abia Warriors FC of Umuahia, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia. He said the decision of the LMC to abolish sign-on fees by clubs in the nation’s top flight was a very good development that would rub-off positively on the game.

    “The LMC should not only abolish sign-on fees but come up with a decision that players in the premiership should not earn below a certain amount as salaries,’’ Onuoha said.

    He said if clubs were allowed to negotiate salaries with their employees, it would cause jealousy and rancour within the players’ ranks.

    “This is because no player believes another one is better than him and this can endanger the spirit of team work,” he said.

    He urged the LMC to also look at how clubs that were indebted to players paid their debts.

    “Players are owed billions of naira in the country and the LMC should help them recover their money before abolishing sign-on fees. Some of these players are the bread winners of their families no matter their age. You cannot owe them and expect them not to fail in their responsibilities to their families,” he said.

    Onuoha said the implementation of enhanced salaries for players in the league would encourage them to give their best. He added that the enhanced salaries for players would enable them veer into other businesses when they are no longer fit to play.

  • Super 4: LMC to pay participation fees

    Super 4: LMC to pay participation fees

    The League Management Company (LMC) will splash over seven million Naira on the clubs that will feature in the pre-season Super 4.

    LMC Chief Operating Officer Salihu Abubakar told MTNFootball.com that financial incentives for the teams are in place.

    “We have set aside money for the Super 4. Each participating team has been given a million naira to prepare for the competition and there is also prize money as well,” he disclosed.

    “The winners will take home N1.5 million , runners-up one million Naira, third-placed team will go home with N750,000, while the bottom team will get N500,000.”

    The tournament will kick off on Friday at the Abuja National Stadium with two matches daily, at 2pm and 4 pm. Abubakar also said the body will hold seminars on free days during the competition.

    “We have seminars that will hold on the free days of the tournament. On Saturday, there is going to be a seminar for all the medical personnel of all the 20 Premier league teams. There is going to be another one for the selected match commissioners and referees,” Abubakar told MTNFootball.com.

    “On Monday, it will be the turn of the 20 clubs chairmen, chairmen of all the teams Supporters clubs, the media officers and the team Captain where they will be enlightened, tell them what we have in plan and what is expected of them.”