Club Owners: We won't play in a league run like a private business

By Olusola Adebayo

NWFL club owners group photograph taken in Lagos after the election of new executive commitee of the association

If feelers coming from the women's football sector in Nigeria is anything to go by, there may be a delay in the resumption of next season's football leagues. 

Delta Queens' Henrrieta Ehiarbor, the chairperson of the NWFL club owners

This is because the Club Owners Association of the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL have threatened to boycott the league fixed for September if the NWFL body does not fix the anomalies in the administration of the league.

The club owners in the women's football recently elected new officers with Henrietta Ehiabor leading the reformed association who have promised to bring freshness to the league and ensure that there will be absolute transparency that will bring about the doctrine of checks and balances in the league. 

They believed that the composition of the NWFL board is illegal, as it should have representatives of club owners on its board but the existence of a caretaker committee for the NWFL in place, could not allow that from happening making the club owners plan a standoff from the league until the NWFL constitutes a legal board. The Club Owners insisted that elections to herald new leadership of the NWFL Board are supposed to take place before the new could commence.

A top official of the Club Owners' body who spoke with our reporter on the condition of anonymity disclosed that the latest stand of the owners will remain unchanged until the needful is done. 

"The election of the new club owners board last week did not sit well with the league body and they have released a statement, saying they only recognize the body led by former chairperson of the association, Mrs Matilda Otuene.

"This stance from the league body has been interpreted as interference and autocracy and the club owners are ready to repel any form of such in the running of their affairs, as they believe being independent will return accountability and inclusiveness in the leagues."

Among the issues of concern for the league, the body is that they said that the chairperson of the NWFL, Aisha Falode, has been running the league like a private business for five years without rendering an account of how the league is being run.

This, they said, must come to an end before they agree to start a new season, as they are all critical stakeholders of the league and must be carried along.

NWFL: Ehiabor defeats Matilda to emerge as NWFL Club Owners Chairperson

Following several weeks of suspense, elections for the board of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Club Owners finally took place on Thursday at Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos. 

After a transparent exercise, Delta Queens' Ehiabor Henrietta emerged as the New Chairperson after defeating incumbent Matilda Otuene of Rivers Angels.

The election was scheduled by the former Chairperson Matilda Otuene after a simple majority activated a part of the constitution that says "an emergency meeting can be called either by the Excos or simple majority."

26 clubs from the NWFL Premiership and Championship were in attendance with only Pelican Stars not represented.

Barrister Paul Edeh (Naija Ratels), Omokhagbor Sixtus (Edo Queens), Rollanson Odeh (Ibom Angels), Victor Ejiofor (Imo Strikers), Ademola Kiyesola (Moje Queens), Gloria Anta (Oasis) and Kuhwa Jeremiah (Honey Badgers) were in attendance at the meeting. They also voted in the election.

At the meeting, the Excos were dissolved, and three panel electoral committee was set up as stated in the Association's constitution. The election was properly carried out and winners emerged.

The electoral committee was made up of:

A. Hajia Husseini Suleiman – Chairperson Nasarawa Amazons (Chairman)

B. Danny Nazzal – Chairman Dannaz Ladies FC (Member)

C. Alimasan K. Edema – General Manager Royal Queens (Secretary)

Several elements had tried to restrain the NWFL Club Owners from going on with the transparent process, but the electoral committee headed by Hajia Hussaina went ahead with the elections.

In the election which was conducted at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ehiabor pulled a total of 16 votes to beat Rivers Angels General Manager, Matilda Otuene. Matilda pulled a total of 10 votes.

Aminu Muhammed narrowly defeated FC Robo Queens owner Emmanuel Osahon for the position of Vice Chairman. He had 14 votes against his opponent's 12.

Abolore Rahman of Dream Stars had 17 votes against Akingbade Temitope (Osun Babes) 9.

Ojo Tosin of Confluence Queens emerged as Treasurer.

Other members of the Club Owners board are Kehinde Odogun (Financial Secretary), Humphrey Njoku (PRO) and Sylvia (Assistant Secretary).

The NWFL Club Owners thanked Hajia Hussaina Suleiman of Nasarawa Amazons for a motherly role in the progress of the Association.

The meeting appreciated the leadership of Matilda Otuene for her efforts over the years.

Ehiabor who was immediately sworn in along with the other board members assured all candidates that she would carry every football stakeholder along in her challenge to move Nigerian women's football forward.

She said, "I accept the very big task now on my shoulder today I hope to discharge my well for the development of women's football."

"I want to be at every club owner's service and that of the Association. I want to be accountable and ensure the growth of women's football in Nigeria.

"As a former board member and General Manager of Delta Force, I understand what growth entails."

Foreign Scouts Set To Glitter Amapro Football Championship

The annual Amparo Football Championship which has now become a constant feature in preparing players for the new football season and this year's edition will be graced by foreign scouts Sportspedal reports. 

This was contained In a release put out by the organiser, Freestyle Sports. 

This year's version will be the seventh edition of the tournament with professional and amateur players expected to take part.

The competition will hold from 8th to 14th August.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the brand, Shogo Shodunnke, the tournament will see 16 teams participating.

Under the auspices of the Kwara State Football Association, AMAPRO has grown in status over the years due to a large number of quality players and teams participating and the proper management of the tournament by its organisers.

Shodunnke revealed that this year’s edition which would take place in Ilorin, Kwara (as usual). The competition would look to be an improvement on the high standard of the previous editions.

“We are expecting teams from near and far, in and out of Kwara State to participate in the competition this year and we promise to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that teams get the right platform to express their talents and that fans get the opportunity of watching the future stars of the country,” Shodunnke stated.

He further confirmed that Football scouts and agents from Europe are expected to be in Kwara to watch this year's edition.

Shodunnke, a FIFA-trained Sports Manager has been widely applauded by fans and participating clubs for his tireless efforts in organising the competition which has produced young players that are currently playing their trade at the top level both home and abroad.

NPFL All Stars, Jazzy Stars, Terwoh Sports Club, Tiyu Football Academy, AMPRO Selected, NLO All Stars, NNL All Stars, Abraysport FC, Kwara Football Academy and Dickalo Football Academy have confirmed their readiness for the competition.

The partners of the seventh edition of the Amapro Football Competition are Kwara State Sports Commission, Kwara State Football Association, Kwara Football Academy, Excel All Stars, Cyteck Engineering, Afribase Nig Ltd, and Afase Nig Ltd, TSTV, Dickalo Nig. Ltd and Abraysport.

Further information on the competition can be gotten from 08033408685.