Chairman of the NNL board, Emeka Inyama

The board of Nigeria National League (NNL), has agreed to shift the date for the 2012/2-13 season, which was earlier slated for October 27th to December 8th.

Chairman of the NNL board, Emeka Inyama, who confirmed the postponement at the just concluded Champions Cup competition in Abuja stated that the board agreed on the new date, after reviewing some pending matters to allow a smooth commencement of the new season.

Inyama revealed that though the NNL was ready to commence the new season as it has put everything on ground to kick start the new season, it cannot go ahead with the earlier plans because the board would require the approval of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), to ratify both the promoted and relegated clubs from all the leagues before the new season can take off.

The NNL chief who also presides as chairman of Abia Warriors FC disclosed that the board has received reports from the leadership of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), that it had conducted its Cooper Test for the year, which according to them will determine the referees that will be fit to officiate the new season.

“Honestly, we at the NNL have concluded all arrangements to begin the new season, having lost a lot time, since our season ended in July. But we cannot begin now because there are certain issues that have not been sorted out from some quarters that will back the beginning of the season.

For instance, it would require the NFF Annual General Meeting, (AGM) to ratify all the promoted and relegated clubs from all the leagues. You are aware that we do not know the fate of Ocean Boys in the league. Also, we are all aware that the Nigeria Referees Association  (NRA), are yet to conduct the new season’s Cooper Test which will determine the fitness of the referees for the new season.  It is also the same case with the Match Commissioners’ Seminar. All these issues have made it very impossible for our earlier planned date to be realistic” observed the NNL boss.

The chairman, who praised the performance of the four teams that participated at the Champions Cup, however assured them that the board has resolved to improve on the administration of the league in Nigeria.