Nigeria League: Adopt ‘No Contract, No Play’ footballers urges colleagues
Nigeria League: Adopt ‘No Contract, No Play’ footballers urges colleagues
Some group of footballers plying their trade in the Nigerian Professional Football League yesterday called on other players in the league not to take part in the up coming Nigeria Professional League season without having a personal contractual agreement with their clubs.
The call was made during the 5th edition of the Forum for Better Organized Nigeria League, where the players unanimously said it high time the players stands up to be counted as what is presently in practice is amateurish.
The forum which was organized by Sodak consult in collaboration with Kaduna SWAN, APFON and NSC NORTHWET ZONE was attended by sports journalists, retired and active football players among others.
Also speaking during the forum, Chaiman Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Kaduna state chapter Mr. Abdulraheem Aodu who said it is high time Nigeria league boards follow what is obtainable else where in the world in terms of players contract, transfers of players and players welfare.
Speaking also Suleiman Mohammed a Kaduna-based radio sports presenter with Liberty-Radio who said clubs participating in the league need to improve on their marketing skills to generate funds aside from the funds they get from league organizers and government so as to meet up with players welfare.
According to him, most of the clubs run away from having contract with players because they cannot meet up with their own financial responsibilities to the players.
On his part Nasiru Suleiman a sports journalist said it one thing to have rules but another thing to implement them, in his words,”the onions rest on the league boards to show a high sense of integrity in following the rules guiding players transfers and players welfare.
While the coordinator of the forum, Mr. Vincent Akinbami added that “players and club contract, players welfare and following the FIFA rules on transfers is fundamental to the development of Nigeria league”
He said “if all these were well implemented, it will help in squad management, continuity in use of players by clubs which will improve standard of play and bring crowd to the stadium and subsequently attract fans and fans will attract companies and thus funds.
He further urged other League Boards to strive hard and get sponsors for the league which will also serve as source of income for the clubs.
Participants at the forum also Emphasized on the Changes by FIFA to Player Agents’ Regulations and the solidarity payment, asking those in authority to implement them to the latter.
