Pillars, other clubs get N10m each in league opener
The Nigerian Football League is set for a colourful opening of the 2007 Premier League season on Saturday in Ilorin.
To boost the opener, the orgnisers have moved all other opening ties to Sunday while the Kwara United versus Tornadoes match holds on Saturday to mark the beginning of the season.
NFL spokesperson, Isaac Ibhafidon, told Daily Triumph Sports on Monday that the chairmen of premier league teams were expected in Ilorin for the tie.
He said the chairmen would be presented with the teams share of the 2007 league sponsorship fee.
Globacom, the official sponsor of the league last month, signed the contract papers and duly paid the sponsorship fee of N693million to the NFL.
The cheques will be given to the chairmen on Saturday so that the season can take off on a grand note.
Daily Triumph Sports learnt that each team would be entitled to N10million from the sponsorship deal.
The NFL has invited Sports Minister, Bala Kaoje and Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association, Sani Lulu, to Ilorin for the league opener. Officials of the sponsors, Globacom, are also expected to grace the event, while the Governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki is the special guest.
All other Week One games of the season holds at different centres on Sunday, in Group A, Rangers hosts Adamawa United, Wikki entertains Ocean Boys, while Prime takes on Pillars. Kaduna United and Heartland will meet in Owerri in the other fixture in the group.
In Group B, Gombe receives Lobi Stars, Insurance hosts Akwa United while El-Kanemi tackles Zamfara. Nassarawa hosts Dolphins and Bayelsa tackles Enyimba.