LMC pleads with governors not to ignore clubs for politics

THE League Management Company (LMC) has drawn the attention of state governments that fund Glo Premier League clubs to the need to provide the clubs’ management needed funds to prepare for and participate in the 2014/15 football league season scheduled to kick off March 7.

  In a recent interview, the outgoing Chairman of the league body, Nduka Irabor, said the LMC recognized that election campaigns have occupied the time of most political office holders, including the respective state governors, but pleaded that they should also consider the exigency of the clubs meeting the requirements, which includes the finance to participate in the league.

  “The feelers that we are getting right now is that officials are neck-deep into campaigning, please if you are serious about professional football all these proprietors who happen to be the state governments should make out time and give the clubs money they need to prepare,” Irabor said.

The LMC has led an advocacy for expanded revenue generation by clubs and championed a switch to Community Ownership of Clubs from the government funding that has seemingly not met requirements for the business side of football.

  “We know the peculiar environment we operate in, we do not have the best infrastructure and we do not have the best funding system for our clubs but we do hope those who own these clubs live up to their responsibility and make funds available to the clubs,” Irabor added.

  Speaking about the clubs that will represent Nigeria in continental tournaments, Irabor said the LMC is confident the teams will do well.

He also charged the clubs to work hard on attracting fans to the stadium as this remains a big revenue option.

  “We are talking to the club managers, it is their business, it is their business to earn money…to understand the business side and how it affects them. Hopefully they will add that point… it’s beyond game, its entertainment, it ought to be a full entertainment package.   

  “Hopefully, they will get it right and begin to add all those elements that make a full entertainment package. But (existing) infrastructure doesn’t support providing good entertainment. Abuja stadium is for the elites but how many other venues do we have like this? We need to begin to redesign our infrastructure to suite modern day footballing and entertainment purpose,” he said.