From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Young footballers in Nigeria have ample opportunities of being picked by foreign football clubs with the latest scouting technology introduced by the Nationwide League One (NLO).
Briefing sports journalists at Kano NUJ Press Centre on Saturday, NLO Media Officer (2), Mr. Abdulgafar Oladimeji, hinted that NLO introduced technological scouting with the aim of exposing the skills and talent of young footballers participating in the league to international clubs who are interested in picking young players.
According to him, “gone are the days when international club owners are invited to watch and pick talented players. NLO has come up with website through which international clubs watch live matches, and make their choices of talented players.”
Mr. Oladimeji who advocated for increased media participation in this year’s NLO national league, said the football organization has gone digital, with the participation of serious-minded sponsors who has invested enough resources for success of the league.
He reiterated the fact that, “no football project can prosper without the media. The sponsors come in due to the extent of media coverage. It is now mandatory that any club participating in the NLO league must have a media department.”
According to him, it is expected that eight teams will qualify across the country at the climax of the league—four from the North, four from the South.
Mr. Abdulgafar further stated that to further improve talent development of the league, a player above the age of 19 would not even allowed to participate in the NLO second division two, adding that NLO has also come up with anti-forgery procedures that will block tendencies of fraud and corruption in the licensing process..
He listed the stadiums where the matches would be played in the North to include Sani Abacha stadium in Kano, Kano Pillars stadium in Kano, Ahmad Bello University stadium, Zaria, Pantami stadium in Gombe, Giginya Memorial stadium in Sokoto, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stadium in Bauchi, Plateau International stadium in Jos, Kontogora stadium in Niger, Karkanda stadium in Katsina, August 24 stadium in Damaturu, Haliru Abdu stadium in Kebbi, Bwari stadium and Area 10 stadium in Abuja, Federal University of Technology stadium in Lafia.
According to him, the opening match is slated to hold on May 3, 2023, between Kwankwassiyya fc and Kano Pillars fc JNR at Sani Abacha stadium.
