NLO: Lack of adequate funding, my greatest headache -Ogunnowo

By Maxwell Kumoye, with additional reports from NSC

If there is one thing that is giving the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Nigeria Nation-Wide Football League One (NLO), Olushola Ogunnowo, sleepless nights, it is the lack of adequate financial support for the Organization.

Ogunnowo made this revelation on Saturday in an interactive session on Nigeria Sports Centre (NSC) a leading WhatsApp group made up of seasoned and experienced sports journalists, football pundits and administrators.

He explained that with the huge volume of work and tasks that must be carried out, the Nigeria Nation-Wide Football League One (NLO) needs lots of funds. “My greatest constraint as the Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Nation-Wide Football League One (NLO) is funding. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are trying their best to support us financially, but I must tell you it’s not enough, considering the volume of work we do in the Organization.” he stated.

FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG understands that each club participating in the third tier league of football in the country pays 40,000 naira as registration fee. But Olushola Ogunnowo says it’s a drop of water in the Ocean.

The registration fee, he explained is used for club medicals and insurance. “As I speak to you the medical teams of the Nigeria Nation-Wide Football League One (NLO) are moving from one club to another and they are carrying out the much needed medical tests for all of the players and training club medical personnel.” he further said.

On the issue of sports sponsorship and partnership with the Nigeria Nation-Wide Football League One (NLO), the COO who was visibly worried cried that cooperate bodies in the country are foot dragging in that area. “I must confess that it is pretty difficult and things are not pure in this country, we have done everything humanly possible, but the response has been very negative.” He added.

It will interest you to know that the Premium League Brand in Nigeria, Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is also begging for sponsorship and partnership. The league has been without a title sponsor since Globacom pulled out many years ago.

And in a bid to help the players in the domestic league enjoy their retirement from the beautiful game, the Nigeria Nation-Wide Football League One (NLO) is encouraging players who can make room for qualitative education to combine it, with their football career. This they believe will go a long way in supporting the players after their playing days are over.

These players are also advised and encouraged to invest in agriculture as the Nigeria Nation-Wide Football League One (NLO) partners with other relevant organizations to add value to the players and coaches lifestyles.

”We encourage them to go into businesses like agriculture, because you know football players careers are short and at the same time anything can happen along the line. So they can have something to fall back on.” He concluded.

The 2022 Nigeria Nation-Wide Football League One (NLO) begins on the 16th of March, 2022.