Lets talk Nigeria Premier League (NPL)........

After a lot of requests, I have decided my next article will be NPL. I was going to write about this subject, but I don't just want to post anything, but facts!
We all know there is a lot to be said about the NPL, but where do we start from?
The problems? I guess so, the NPL has a lot of work to do to develop our Premier League. I'm ready to say it just as it is and please you can still contribute to this.
Can we compare the NPL (Nigeria Premier League) to the EPL (English Premier League)? I hear some people saying; "na yam". Of course not, there is no comparison in terms of management, personnel, branding, marketing, exposure to the world and most especially sponsorship.
But I will tell you this, the comparison will be among the hidden talents we have in the NPL. Yes, I said hidden! We have a lot of talented players in the NPL, if given the opportunity, they will rub shoulders with most players in the EPL. We see many of our professional players in the EPL and other leagues abroad, they were the products of the NPL.
What is the way forward for our own Premier League? How do we move forward? How can we get international exposure and assure our players they can stay in the home league for a while before running off to other leagues abroad? Is there still hope for the NPL?
Of course there is still hope for the NPL, but we have to start from the Personnels, the people in charge. Are they really doing their jobs, and when I say their jobs, I mean what is expected of them. While saying that, are they the right people for the job?
One of the reasons why we face most problems we encounter in this country is because, a lot of people in different positions are not just right for the job! It's like saying a carpenter should attend to a patient who is in a critical state, please tell me if this patient will survive, if not for the help of God. What will the carpenter do in this situation? Does he even know how to diagnose what is wrong with the patient, before thinking of administering medications?
Such is the problem we face in this country of ours?
The NPL wants to be like the EPL, are they going about it in the right way? How do you sell yourself to the world?
I was so shocked when I found out the NPL does not even have a website....Please can someone tell me, what this is all about. How can people get information about the NPL, don't know if I am making any sense here. How do people get news about the different clubs in the NPL, schedules lined up for the season, etc.
How do the NPL think they can attract foreign investors? People don't just want to be associated with a brand, they want something in return, that's why there is something called "Return On Investment" (ROI). Every organisation wants this, the NPL is striving to achieve this, all investors needs this.
Tell me in this 21st Century, why one of the people in the NPL is yet to think: having a website is important, but I tell you this, you will be shocked someone has refused to bring out the money to finance it, because they do not see how it will bring money into their own pockets.
I was reading an interesting article on Kick Off Nigeria website about NPL not allowing Clubs to get their own sponsorship, and I must commend some of the comments on that article.
Why should the NPL impose some brands on its Clubs? It is not done anywhere. NPL should get its own sponsors to sort out what needs to be done in the league, and it is the duty of the Clubs to also get their own sponsors.
NPL is a brand on its own, the Clubs are also different brands, Enyimba is a brand, Kano Pillars is another brand and so on. Just because they all play in the same league, doesn't mean they do not have their own identities.
How can you make Lucozade the official drink for all the Clubs in the NPL, what happens if other energy drinks want to sponsor? Lets say Power Horse wants to be the official energy drink for Tornadoes, will Tornadoes say NO because the NPL imposed Lucozade on them?
Why hasn't the NPL made arrangement with one of the Television Stations we have to show the matches? I heard they finally got Super Sports and NTA, what a relief, but why did they take that long? Anyways, it's a way forward so I'm not going to question that anymore.
NPL has to stop this thing called corruption. I heard most Club chairmen bribe referees before the games. They should investigate this, and anyone found guilty should be punished. NPL should take an example from the Seria A, when some clubs were found guilty, some were relegated and other they took off points from them. Discipline should be enforced.
NPL chairman, you have a lot of work to do.
How many people in the country are interested in the NPL? Some people can't even name 5 Clubs in the NPL, but they will name all the Clubs in the EPL and even names the ones in the Championship.
Ask a lot of people; when Lobi Stars or any other Club is playing their next match and who they are playing with, they will tell you "wetin concern me with that one now", but they know when next Man Utd is playing Arsenal. I don't blame them.
Make the NPL an attractive league, attract sponsors but don't become a beggar, because when you become a beggar, you have to play by their terms, but when you attract them, they play by your own rules.
Having said all these, the Clubs themselves should work out a good marketing strategy, don't wait for all to be done for you by the NPL. Get sponsors, you need to show them a reason or more why they should invest in your Club. The Clubs do need a good PR company or a Marketing outfit. No matter what you do now, you will have to sell your products to the world.
The good thing about the NPL is that; they are trying to develop the league, but there is a lot of work to be done.
The Verdict.....
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