The Congress of the Nationwide League One (NLO) has vetoed the Stadium League Format proposed by Secretariat the nation’s third-tier domestic league body for the new season and the April 26 kick-off date.
A motion to set the ball rolling for the 2023 season arose from the NLO’s Annual General Meeting/Congress held virtually on Tuesday with representatives of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), NLO, State FA’s and clubs in attendance.
Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman, the Director of the NFF National Competition gave the keynote address on behalf of the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.
Recall the Annual General Meeting/Congress of the NLO, was in line with the NFF statutes that established the third cadre domestic league in Nigeria.
One of the major decisions taken by the virtual congress which was held via Zoom, was the adoption of the Stadium League Format for the new season, while the season that was earlier scheduled for April 13, now kicks off on April 26.
According to the NLO, the League Format – Stadium League was adopted by the Congress as it considered the security, economic and political challenge in the country.
However, the Stadium League for this season will be in the home and away format as against the one used two seasons ago owing to the COVID-19 pandemic that halted general life globally.
Given an in depth summary on the home and away format of the Stadium League, Chief Operating Officer(COO) Olusola Ogunowo said: “All the teams will be grouped in zones and will play matches in round robin, after that, go on a break for a week or two.
“All the teams will resume for the concluding part of the season.
“For the teams that get relegated to Division 2, which is now known as the Youth League, they will only retain 10 players from their teams. The reason is that the Youth League has an age cap of 16-19.”
Ogunowo further informed that a positive development came the way of the league as the NLO has secured a partner, and they will support all the clubs in Division One and Two.
To maintain its standard as one of the best organized grassroot domestic leagues in Africa, the NLO also informed that all matches will be live-streamed on the NLO TV app
Impressed with NLO’s prudent use of the limited funds available, Congress also adopted the 2022 financial report and gave the league body an overwhelming vote of confidence.
