NFF to change name of amateur league

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is considering changing the name of the National Amateur League to one that would reflect its grassroots nature.

Musa Amadu, the Acting Secretary General of the NFF, said on Thursday in Abuja that he believed a change of name would help in attracting more sponsors and glamour to the competition. "The name ‘Amateur League' makes it sound as if players there are inexperienced and less relevant," he said. "Already, our marketing department is looking into it and we will come up with something as soon as all approvals are received."

Noting that the National Amateur League is very important a segment in Nigerian football because most players in the country would have played in it at one time or the other, Amadu said: "The League has about 128 clubs in all its three divisions and has more national coverage, thus giving the sponsors more mileage. From some of the matches I have witnessed in the league, it has raw talent and you can see the players' dedication."

Playing fair

Amadu also promised that the league would become better organised with the election of a National Amateur League board, stating that the interest of the League would be protected as it would be given a fair hearing as a member of the NFF Executive Committee. He urged clubs in the league to play fair and called on referees to make sure their officiating was free and fair so that everyone involved would be satisfied. "Clubs should abide by the rules and regulations guiding the league and ensure that their fans do not take laws into their hands by encroaching on the pitch or being violent," he said.

The acting NFF Secretary General advised club owners on ways of ensuring prosecution of matches at home: "When matches are being played, you must have medical personnel on board and on ground in case of any casualty. It is also necessary that clubs conduct periodic check-up on their players and officials to make sure they are medically fit," he said.