The Nation Newspaper

Tag: LMC

  • Odinga, ThankGod demand bumper pay

    Odinga, ThankGod demand bumper pay

    • Vanzenkin too

    Players of the Globacom Premier League have expressed reservations about the ban placed on players’ signing-on fees by the League Management Company (LMC).

    After its meeting in Abuja last week, the LMC cancelled signing-on fees for players and asked clubs to instead include such payments in their monthly salaries.

    In separate interviews with SportingLife, Sharks FC of Port-Harcourt captain, Odinga Odinga, Warri Wolves duo of Ike ThankGod and Ambrose Vanzenkin said the clubs must increase their monthly salaries and ensure prompt payment when due.

    Veteran captain Odinga said cancellation of signing-on fees will be of blessing if the players get fat salaries which are paid regularly.

    Odinga said: “The only thing I want to add is that the clubs should pay fat salaries because the challenges we are facing is that the clubs are not paying signing-on fees. If they can pay fat salaries and pay it as at when due I don’t think there will be a problem in the cancellation of signing-on fees.

    “But if the clubs don’t pay good salaries there will be problems for players because there is no insurance and we have families to take care of. If they are doing it they should pay as at when due so that the players can give their best.”

    Warri Wolves defender, Ike ThankGod wants clubs to pay monthly salaries of up to 500 thousand naira.

    “If you see what is operating in Europe there is nothing like signing-on fees, they only have contractual deals and they share it on their weekly and monthly wages. If they can do the same here in Nigeria it will be okay for the players,” ThankGod told SportingLife

    “The problem is that the clubs will not pay regularly. Assuming the clubs are paying 500 thousand naira and they owe players three months’ salaries, it will be difficult for players to cope with life. If they pay up to 500 thousand and it is regular, it will be okay. If they are not paying regularly I won’t support the cancelation of signing-on fees.”

    Wolves goalie Vanzekin shared similar sentiments. He said: “If there is no signing-on fee they must make the salary higher and more significant for players to take care of their families and themselves in the future. This is our career, this is what we choose as our job. We cannot play forever. If they owe, it will affect us. If we end our career this is what we are going to fall on.”

  • Eguma: Abolition of signing-on fees is good

    Eguma: Abolition of signing-on fees is good

    The Head Coach of Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt, Stanley Eguma, says the abolition of signing-on fees by the League Management Company (LMC) was a good decision.

    Eguma told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that though the decision was best, it had the tendency to generate controversies because it was taken at the wrong time.

    According to him, clubs have already engaged players for the 2013/2014 season and it will create misunderstanding.

    “The initiative is a good one as players are now going to be paid on the basis of performance. It is a very good decision but it is too late to be adhered to this season. This is because the league was meant to have started since last year and club managers have already engaged players who are expecting signing-on fees.

    “If it was brought up prior to now, it would have been a milestone, but it can be fully implemented in 2015 based on contracts that had already been made for 2013/2014 season,’’ Eguma told NAN.

    NAN reports that following the abolition of the sign-on fees from the 2013/14 season, the LMC said that an enhanced salary scheme would come on stream.

    LMC had said that henceforth, no complaint of non-payment of signing-on fees by players would be entertained.

    On preparations by Dolphin FC for the forthcoming season, Eguma said the team had improved on the intensity of its preparations by engaging in stiffer friendly matches.

    “We are preparing well. We have also been playing friendly matches here and there and soon, we will be on our way to Lagos to play in anticipation of the league. Its part of a way of fine-tuning for the season”, he told NAN.

    The Globacom Premier League 2013/2014 season would start on Feb. 23. This was announced by the LMC after a meeting with the 20 clubs on Monday in Abuja.

  • Dike approves LMC’s conditions

    Dike approves LMC’s conditions

    Former Nasarawa United coach, Alphonsus Dike has approved the League Management Company’s (LMC) requirements for clubs participation in the 2013/14 Glo Premier League season.

    The LMC has insisted on 100% club licensing registration compliance, bank guarantee of N100 million, copies of players’ contract agreement form conforming with the mandatory N100,000 minimum wage for players, among other stringent registration requirements.

    Though clubs have been kicking against the innovation, Dike insisted that the measures will sanitise the league and put it at par with leagues in other lands.

    “I like what the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is doing through the League Management Company (LMC). I like what the LMC is doing, especially on their insistence on N100million bank guarantee as well as the N100,000 minimum wages for players. These measures will improve the league as well as sanitise the system.

    “At least, if these measures are implemented to the fullest, it will greatly help the coaches in carrying out their duties as it will reduce if not remove the pressure and distraction that usually come from the players each time they complain of non-payment of their salaries or signing-on fees.

    “I strongly believe everybody who has good intention for our league won’t hesitate to queue behind the LMC to ensure the realisation of the lofty ideas. The measures could be tough but the gains will surely surpass the immediate pain the clubs might suffer at the takeoff period,” said the former Enugu Rangers coach to supersport.com.

    The LMC has fixed the last weekend of next month for the commencement of the 2013/14 Glo Premier League season.

  • LMC sets aside N3.75m for pre-season tourney

    LMC sets aside N3.75m for pre-season tourney

    The Chairman of the League Management Committee (LMC) Nduka Irabor has revealed that N3.75 million would be shared by the four clubs that would participate in the 2013/2014 pre-season tournament that will hold between, January 24, 26 and 28 at the Abuja National Stadium.

    Nduka disclosed that the matches that will be played at 2pm and 4pm prompt will involve the four clubs that have qualified for the African continental competitions which includes League Champion Kano Pillars, Enyimba International, Bayelsa United and Warri Wolves.

    The LMC boss did the breakdown of the N3.75 prize money to be won by the four contesting clubs. “The winner will smile home with the prize award of N1.5 million while the runner-up would win a million naira and the third place winner will also pocket the sum of N750, 000. The LMC also have a package of N500, 000 for the fourth placed club’, Irabor disclosed.

    The pre-season tournament will also feature workshops for Club Managers, players, supporters clubs and medical officials.

  • NRA boss wants improved remuneration for referees

    NRA boss wants improved remuneration for referees

    The Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) on Monday appealed to the League Management Committee (LMC) to review the remuneration of referees to ensure fair officiating in the 2013/2014 Glo Premier League season.

    The National President of the association, Ahmed Maude, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    Maude said improved incentives would spur the referees to officiate matches without fear or favour, pointing out that officiating was part of the criteria required to certify the credibility of the league.

    “We cannot over-emphasise the fact that match officials have a primary role in the development of the nation’s league.

    “A good league is judged by the credibility of its officiating; the LMC, therefore, needs to improve on the remuneration of our officials and we are appealing to the committee to look into this before the league kicks off in February.

    “Referees are an integral part of football, but are often overlooked. We are booed a lot by fans when their anticipations are not met.

    “We are also unfairly accused and molested at some match venues,” he said.

    “Our remuneration should, therefore, be enough to compensate for all the challenges that referees go through,’’ he added.

    On their level of preparedness for the season, Maude told NAN that the referees were ready whenever the LMC and club managers fixed a date for the commencement of the season.

  • LMC, club managers headed for stormy meeting

    LMC, club managers headed for stormy meeting

    The League Management Company (LMC) and managers of clubs in the league are headed for a stormy meeting on Monday.

    The league bosses are incensed by the licensing requirements demanded of them by the LMC before their clubs would be registered for the new football season.

    The minimum requirements include a 100 million Naira bank guarantee, written guarantees for match venues and administrative structures, updated financial positions of the clubs, minimum salary of 100,000 Naira for a league player, among others.

    One of the club officials informed MTNFootball.com after their meeting in Abuja on Wednesday: “The meeting kicked against 80% of the requirements demanded by the LMC.

    “This means that Monday’s meeting in Abuja will not be easy at all; it will be fight to finish.”

    However, an LMC top shot said what they have requested from the clubs are the basics needed to run a professional league.

    There has been a running distrust between the clubs and LMC with some of the officials insisting on an election into the executive committee of the league.

    The LMC, on the other hand, has brought back credibility and most importantly cash to the league.

    They have insisted on the best practises rather than business as usual for the domestic championship to rise above mediocrity.

  • NPFL: Clubs to provide bank guarantees

    The League Management Company (LMC) have outlined the conditions teams have to meet, to be licensed to participate in both NFF and CAF organised competitions next year.

    The chairman of the LMC, Hon Nduka Irabor, said that clubs are expected to amongst other criteria, provide a bank guarantee as an indication that they have the financial means to meet their obligations for the season.

    “It is important that we make the clarification that Clubs are not paying any money to the LMC but are to provide bank guarantees which will be a proof of their capacity to meet financial obligations throughout the season,” he said.

    He said when implemented, club licensing will guarantee that players are not exploited by unscrupulous persons as the set minimum wage will be enforced.

    “Some of the benefits that this will bring to clubs include the guaranteed supply of quality and well trained first squad players from the clubs’ youth development program required under the sporting criteria.

    “There will be improved facilities for players and improved stadium conditions for fans while providing attractive return on investments for commercial partners and investors.

    “The deadline of licensing has been set at December 31st, and teams are expected to have provided this before then.”

  • LMC TO GLO LEAGUE CLUBS: Provide N100m, or lose your license

    LMC TO GLO LEAGUE CLUBS: Provide N100m, or lose your license

    Clubs which cannot meet certain new conditions including providing a bank guarantee of 100 million naira will not be allowed to participate in the 2013/2014 Glo Nigeria Premier League season.

    The Chairman of League Management Company (LMC), Nduka Irabor warned that the new League season may not start unless clubs meet the FIFA club licensing criteria by the December 31 deadline set by CAF.

    “We are not running a professional league,” Irabor said during Wednesday night’s League Bloggers’ Awards in Lagos. “For the League to be truly professional, clubs have to meet all of the criteria for club licensing.

    “The League will start only if we have fully professional clubs who meet the licensing criteria.”

    These conditions include ownership of, or unfettered access to a home stadium, a bank guarantee of N100 million to ensure that clubs are able to meet up with the financial obligations, including the ability to pay players and coaches when due, and the establishment of proper and functional academies/youth teams within their club structures, among others.

    Irabor says clubs which do not meet these conditions will not be licensed.

    “We will wait for the NFF to issue the licenses, then we will see if we meet the CAF deadline of December 31.

    “If we fail, we will push and push until we get all the clubs to do it. But that means we may not have 20 clubs.

    “It is only the clubs who meet the licensing conditions who will play.

    “If we only have six clubs that meet the conditions by the deadline, we will start the league with those six clubs,” Irabor added.

     

  • Pillars to LMC: Give us our trophy

    Pillars to LMC: Give us our trophy

    The management of Kano Pillars has called on the League Management Company (LMC) to arrange to present the 2012/2013 league trophy to it at a place and time convenient for both parties.

    The Pyramid City side won the league title at the end of the season but are yet to be presented the trophy due to logistic problems.

    The club made the appeal at the board meeting which was presided over by its chairman Alh. Abba Abdullahi Yola (Ciroman Yola) at the Pillars secretariat in Kano to review last season’s activities.

    The club’s media officer, Idris Malikawa Garu, noted in a statement made available to SportingLife that: “The board has noted the inability of the League Management Board to carry out the presentation of the trophy in Katsina Ala due to some logistic challenges. The board has decided to appeal and call on the LMC to without further delay arrange to present the trophy at a place and time convenient for both parties.”

    The board decided to allow the present technical crew headed by Baba Ganaru to continue tinkering the team for the 2013/2014 league season while also unanimously deciding to strengthen the team with new players to face the challenges of participation in the 2013/2014 League and the African Champions League.

    The recruitment and registration exercise of new players is to be concluded on or before the 25th.

    “In discussing the on-coming 2013/2014 league season the board has decided to continue with the same zeal that saw the board providing the leadership that eventually made the team to win the 2012/2013 league trophy back to back.”

    The statement added: “The board has noted the unparallel support of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Deputy Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Kano State Commissioner of Information, Youths, Sports and Culture Prof Umar Faruk Jibril and other state executive council members for their contributions and support to our success.

    “The board also noted the support of sports journalists for being part of the vanguard that ensured fair play and justice in the administration of football in this country.

    “The board of Kano Pillars will continue to work with our supporters and other stakeholders in ensuring that the team remains a good leader in the Nigeria Premier League.”

    On the CLUB OWNERS/LMC STAND-OFF: ” The meeting has noted the position of the club owners on the tenure of the League Management board and has unequivocally endorsed the position that was taken by its, chairman along with the remaining club owners.”

    ON PARTNERSHIP WITH GLO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION: “The board has noted its partnership with the mobile giant (GLO) and further enjoined the company to launch the Glo/Kano pillars recharge and sim packs before the commencement of the 2013/2014 League season.

    ON SPONSORSHIP DRIVE/SENSITIZATION SEMINAR: “The board has noted with satisfaction the efforts of its consultants, Berackiah International and Soccer link in getting sponsors within and outside the country for Kano Pillars. It has also directed the fans club executive and the state FA to organise a seminar for the fans on good behaviour before, during and after matches and invite reputable stakeholders to deliver papers.”

    The club has, however, congratulated the Golden Eaglets and Nigerians for winning the FIFA U-17 trophy for the fourth time.

  • LMC decries non-payment of players’ wages

    LMC decries non-payment of players’ wages

    The League Management Company (LMC) on Wednesday condemned the delay by clubs in paying of players’ salaries and signing-on fees in the Glo Premier League.

    LMC spokesperson Mike Enahoro told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the issue was disheartening and urged clubs to find a solution to the problem.

    “The non-payment of salaries and signing-on fees has become a recurring decimal in the league where players are left to languish for months on end,” he said.

    “These are issues we have raised with the club owners; we have actually got in touch with them. They should please end (the problem) for the sake of the people who play and support the game.

    “It is disheartening; I cannot imagine anybody working for X amount of months and not being paid, especially on a strenuous job like football.”

    Enahoro further explained there were plans underway to find a lasting solution to the problem which rears its head every season.

    The 2013/2014 Premier League season is scheduled to kick off on November 22, 2013.