As sports makes a gradual return to the lives of many enthusiasts around the world since the standstill of the coronavirus epidemic, Nigeria has thus far shown reluctance in sanctioning the sports industry’s return despite easing lockdown around the country. The return of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) remains a mystery in Nigerian football circles at the moment. Football has suffered a great deal during the COVID-19 period with job losses suffered by workers; both directly and indirectly, revenue generation from football clubs hitting an all-time low, salary slashes, and incurred losses from the television companies and sponsors.
Unsurprisingly, itās the grassroots that have succumbed the most to this financial downturn, as its survival is highly dependent weekly. Activities like regional leagues and other competitions which are the lifeblood of the grassroots were suspended for two months. As a consequence, many clubs and competitions folded up, due to teams being unable to meet up with their fiscal responsibilities.
Football fans in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) can look forward to an exciting and a much bigger return of the 5Stars Premier League. The 5Stars football consultancy, organizers of the biggest 5-aside competitions in the FCT have pushed plans forward to begin their 2020 season this coming August with efforts to give fans and players a football experience like no other. The league was scheduled to have kicked off June 2020 but rescheduled. Nonetheless, the 2020 league season is charged with a mandate of having more 5-aside participating teams in the league. Additionally, the patronages of House of Representatives member, Ned Nwoko (representing Aniocha/Oshimili South constituency of Delta state) and Nigerian Legend and Sports Ambassador Daniel Amokachi have been secured to catalyze efforts of the league and drive more sponsors for the competitions. There are also notable enactments to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the fans following best health practices.
In previous years, the competition was mostly played by teams exclusively from the FCT without the involvement of other cities and localities due to financial constraints. This adversely led to low visibility, fan turnout, and patronage. However in 2019, signs of promise and a brighter future sufficed with 12 teams competing in the league, 6 sides divided into two groups each playing the other once to determine the top 4 qualifying sides for next rounds of matches. In 2019 the league began on the 20th of July and ended on October 5th. Then the opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Super Eagles duo Ahmed Musa and his sidekick Shehu Abdullahi.
Cash prizes were made available to the league winners and itās MVP effectively making the league a lot more competitive. The number of press personnel grew with league activity reports often found in a few media outlets. Former English international footballer John Fashanu, daughter of the Vice-President of Nigeria, Kiki Osibanjo, and the special guest of honor Prince Ned Nwoko accompanied by his wife Regina Daniel Nwoko were in attendance adding glitz and glamor to the closing ceremony. FC Hearts, a formidable academy side (club) in the FCT beat Church side Trinity Boyz 3-1 in the final in a colorful climax to the competition.
Currently, Prince Ned Nwoko has decided to sponsor the competition and this has elevated the profile of the league. Daniel Amokachi aka āThe Bullā who also happens to be a Confederate of Africa Football (CAF) Ambassador was also granted a ābrand ambassadorialā role. These steps give hope to lay a strong foundation and base for futsal football in the FCT and the country at large.
At a time when organizing professional and amateur football leagues have been difficult, the 5Stars Premier League has taken a cue from the Bundesliga and other top leagues in the world. Provisionally, a kick-off date is scheduled for August 2020 with a newfound aim to project Nigerian grassroots competition in a positive light, draw revenue to it, as well as uncover talents that could be of benefit for Nigerian and foreign clubs and the nation at large.
