Head of Operations of the Interim Management Committee, IMC, Davidson Owunmi has shed more light on why four clubs will take part forthcoming NPFL Pre-Season tournament in Lagos.
According to the General Manager of Rangers International FC who guided the Enugu based team to NPFL league title in 2015/16 season said sponsors who are ready to invest in the nation's apex league seek for four traditional teams of the league as a prelude before further expansion next season.
"It wasn't our personal decision to select only four teams to take part in the four teams NPFL Pre-Season tournament."
"Sponsors who are ready to invest in our league seek for only four traditional NPFL teams."
"At this point in time when our league is in dire need of sponsorship, we have no option rather than to agree with their proposal."
"Kano Pillars FC could have been one of the clubs to play in the tournament but unfortunately, the team is no more in NPFL top flight."
"This is the main reason why we have, Enyimba Rangers, 3SC, and Insurance in the NPFL Pre-Season tournament for a start."
"This is a major boost to our league that has running for some years without sponsorship."
"The sponsors have also agreed to expand the tournament to eight teams next season."
Owunmi also added the IMC is working in line with the vision of the new NFF to get more sponsors for the league.
"The IMC is working assiduously in line with the vision of the new NFF ."
"Getting more sponsors for the league is our ultimate target and that is the vision of the new NFF administration."
The Pre-season tournament which will be an annual event in the NPFL calendar is sponsored by the Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation and packaged by Tingo media in collaboration with the NPFL organisers.
The inaugural edition of the competition will be held at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos from the 1st – 4th of December, 2022.
Winner of the inaugural edition take home N100 Million prize money.