Abuja – The Nigeria Nation-Wide League (NNWL) on Thursday in Abuja announced its transformation into Nationwide League One (NLO) and unveiled Ifeanyi Ubah as Patron and four ex-internationals as the league’s ambassadors.
The former players, namely Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba, Garba Lawal and Patrick Pascal. were honoured for starting their football career from the grassroots before attaining stardom.
Amaju Pinnick, President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who presided at the ceremony, also unveiled the new logo for the league.
Pinnick, who was represented by Shehu Dikko, the Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), pledged the Federation’s continued support for the development of grassroots football in the country.
He assured that the federation would work together with the league to ensure wider participation.
Pinnick urged club managers to bring in private sector partnership in sports sponsorship.
“This important now, especially as it is now becoming clear that government ownership of football clubs will soon come to an end,’’ he said.
The NFF President urged club owners to decide what kind of club they wanted to operate.
“We want clubs to register their players. The clubs can have players in various categories of players and move them to the next stage as they progress,’’ he said.
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Responding to his unveiling as patron, Ubah said it was a call to duty.
“This is a call to work hard to change grassroots football and I will use all in my power to ensure that the league attracts sponsorship.
“The league will focus on youth development and create awareness on the potential of Nigerian footballers.
“This will also help to market the league in the area of getting sponsors,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Ahmed Kawu, the NLO board chairman, said the unveiling of the league’s logo was part of the changing of name.
“Giant strides were taken in 2015 towards achieving the set goals for the league,’’ he said.
Kawu said the league also recorded landmark achievements in the history of football development in the country.
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He said the unveiling of some ex-internationals as league ambassadors was to encourage the young ones in the game.(NAN)