•As LMC names six refs
by monica iheakam
Officials of the League Management Company (LMC) are at cross-roads over reported apathy of the Enugu State government towards the hosting of the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super4, a day to the tournament’s kick-off.
While initial reports indicated that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was excited by the prospect of the state hosting the major tournament, sources close to the LMC revealed that the excitement has not been matched by support for the hosting of the event.
An official who pleaded anonymity as he is not authorized to speak on the matter disclosed that “for the first time, a host state is not providing logistics for the tournament such as fuel for generators, accommodation for teams and match officials and official vehicles”.
Another source close to the Enugu State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Charles Ndukwe said the Governor said the state cannot afford the amount the LMC stated in a proposal to the state and that this has made it difficult to formally reply the LMC in writing.
“Yes, the state wants to host the tournament but there is financial constraints but we believe His Excellency, Governor Ugwuanyi will review his position as there are serious benefits that the state will derive”, the source stated.
The 2016 NPFL Super4 is billed to kick off on Wednesday (tomorrow), December 7 with Wikki Tourists and FC IfeanyiUbah at 5pm while Rangers and Rivers United play the second tie of the day at 7pm.
LMC Head of Special Projects, Harry Iwuala refused to comment on the report when contacted but said “the Super4 is holding as scheduled and whatever challenges that are encountered will definitely be resolved”.
Meanwhile, a woman referee, Hannah Elaigwu from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has made the list of six referees and six assistant referees listed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super4.
The tournament holds at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu from December 7 to 11 with Rangers International, Rivers United, FC Ifeanyiubah and Wikki Tourists participating.
The list contained in a letter signed by Sani Zuberu, Secretary of the NFF Referees Committee showed that in all there are six match referees, six assistant referees, three match commissioners, two referees’ assessors, a referees’ physical instructor, a technical instructor for post-match reviews and two post-match assessment coordinators.
Other referees listed include Adebimpe Quadri from Lagos State, Ago Abubakar of Yobe State, Bashir Salihu from Kano State, Abdullahi Shuaibu from Katsina and Joseph Ogabor from Cross River State.
The assistant referees include Abel Baba from Kogi, Samuel Pwagutakan from Adamawa, Peter Ogwu Friday from Bauchi, Usman Abdulmajeed from Oyo, Igudia Osifo from Edo and Iyorhe Mimisen from Benue State.
The referees’ assessors are Linus Mba of Lagos and Prince Elube from Niger State while the match commissioners are Ogungbemide Dele of Ondo State, Umar Isah of Kogi and Golly Emmanuel from Delta State.