BY JACOB AJOM
The League Management Company, organisers of the Glo Premier League,  have pleaded with Nigerians to be patient in their expectations for a perfect league.

Speaking in an interactive session with the sporting press in Lagos yesterday, Chairman of the LMC, Honourable Nduka Irabor said that his team, which is in its second year, started from the scratch.

LMC boss, Hon. Nduka Irabor (r) addressing the press yesterday. With him is Modele Sharafa Yusuf, member of LMC

“We had no favourable structure in place to build on. We are starting from the scratch. ,” he said.

He disclosed that with the strict observance of conditions for registration of clubs, there was a gradual change in the attitude of club managements.

“We are insisting on 30% government divestment from clubs this year and 50% by the end of next season; we are also insisting on N50m bank guarantee from clubs before licenses can be issued,” the former legislator said, adding that the conditions are geared towards making clubs financially independent.

On how to return football fans to the stadia, Irabor said in as much as the LMC is ready to support any genuine effort aimed at achieving large crowds at match venues, it is the responsibility of the clubs to market themselves.

“It is their responsibility to push their brands. In the 1980s when our league was good Brazilians and other nationals came here to play.”

He praised the effort of management of newly revived Stationery Football Club of Lagos which has put in place a machinery for attracting fans to the stadium. “They have impressed me so far. I expect they continue in that spirit.”

He said no matter the amount of pressure from Nigerians, the League Management Company will not rush things.

“Clubs must get the basic things right. The conditions for registration are not LMC’s. They are from a template from FIFA which is being implemented by member associations across the world. That is how modern football is run.”