Daily Independent (Lagos)
George Akpayen
25 September 2009
Lagos — The Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has given four stadia the final nod to host this season's Globacom Premier League, which kicked off last Sunday.
A letter from the NPL board dated September 18, signed by its Head of Competition, Tunji Babalola, the four stadia are the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt, Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi and M.K.O Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.
It means that only the venues of six clubs have been given the nod for the ongoing season.
Dolphins, Sharks, Pillars, Wikkii Tourists and Gateway are those whose venues have been approved, Niger Tornadoes, has has chosen Sani Abacha Stadium, for its home matches.
However, 13 grounds have been given provisional clearance till Week 5 of the season.
The grounds are Ilorin Stadium, Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi, Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, Enyimba Stadium Aba, Abakaliki Township Stadium, Akure Township Stadium, Liberty Stadium in Ibadan and Sardauna Memorial Stadium in Gusau.
Others are Kaduna Township Stadium, Abubakar Umar Stadium in Gombe, Oghara Township Stadium in Delta, Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City and Oleh Township Stadium in Delta.
"The NPL, however, enjoins the affected clubs to choose from designated stadia for the U-17 World Cup to be hosted by Nigeria," the letter read.
The designated stadia from which clubs are to choose from are Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Abuja National Stadium, Sani Abacha Stadium, Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, Teslim Balogun Stadium Lagos, Ijebu-Ode International Stadium and U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
Clubs that may likely change their home grounds are Kwara United, Lobi Stars, Heartland Football Club, Enyimba, Sunshine Stars, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Zamfara United, Gombe United, Bayelsa United, Ocean Boys and Warri Wolves.
However, Enugu Ranger, as well as the two Kaduna-based clubs, Ranchers Bees and Kaduna United, would be returning to familiar terrain.
The Kaduna clubs would return to the Ahmadu Bello Stadium while Rangers would take over the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium after several months of playing its home games in either Nnewi or Abakaliki.
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