NWPL postpones 2019 season’s kick-off by one week

• Bayelsa Queens faults non-registration story
The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) yesterday disclosed that 2018/2019 league’s kickoff has been postponed by one week due to unforeseen circumstances.

NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Alhaji Ayo Abdulrahman said in a statement that the postponement was necessary following the failure of five of the Premier League clubs to register for the season.

He listed the clubs as defending champions, Bayelsa Queens of Yenagoa, Dream Stars of Lagos, The Invincible Angels of Gboko, Heartland Queens of Owerri and Abia Angels.

Abdulrahman said the erring clubs had been given until Friday, July 19, 2019 to complete their registration, adding, “Those who fail to meet the fresh deadline of July 19, 2019 will be termed ineligible and the NWFL secretariat will be forced to hold a fresh draw and prepare new League fixtures only for those eligible.”

However, Bayelsa Queens of Yenagoa have debunked the claim that they have not complied with registration procedures as stated by the NWFL.

Reacting to the NWSL statement yesterday, Bayelsa Queens Chairman, Ebiki Timitimi said the team were too big not to comply with registration modalities for a league they won last season.

He added: “The issue of non-compliance is in relation with the cost of cautions for the 2017/18 season, which Bayelsa Queens FC management requested for the breakdown of the N230, 000 said to be debt of Bayelsa Queens since March 2019.

“The Management of Bayelsa Queens still went ahead to pay the sum of N200, 000 on April 29, 2019 even without proper breakdown from the Women League Board.

“It was yesterday, July 15, a breakdown of N30, 000 was sent to the club and immediately the money was paid to the women league board, so it was not the fault of Bayelsa Queens.”