The Nigeria Premier Football League has reached a collaborative agreement with Spanish La Liga club, Sevilla to aid the development of the league, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The alliance was made known by the Spanish side, a partnership it described as ‘World Club Alliance Program’ with the Nigerian Professional Football League.
The president of Nigeria Premier Football League, Gbenga Elegbeleye visited the club where he met President José María del Nido Carrasco and visited the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.
According to the details of the agreement released the club will provide advice in sporting and other areas of development, with a special focus on coach training and developing the talent of young Nigerian players.
“We are very happy to be able to work with the Nigerian Professional League. Sevilla FC is convinced that this alliance can help NPFL clubs to continue improving and encourage the development of youth players. It is a new decisive step in our internationalisation process and will help our brand to continue to grow in Africa, in a country like Nigeria from which we are receiving a lot of support after the signing of Chidera Ejuke,” explained José María del Nido Carrasco.
“We have 20 clubs in the Nigerian Premier League and they all have their own youth academies. I know the history and track record of Sevilla FC. This is a very good club which has won trophies in Spain and Europe for many years. I feel that, with their development strategy and their youth development programme, Nigeria can benefit. We believe that the best players in the Nigeria Youth League will be able to come here every season to train. With your help and training, when they return, they can become better players. We also have a training agreement for our coaches that will be positive for us. It is a win-win arrangement for everyone in the NPFL,” said Nigeria Professional Football League president Gbenga Elegbeleye.
He was also keen to highlight the level of attention Sevilla is receiving in Nigeria following the signing of Ejuke. “When they signed Chidera Ejuke from Royal Antwerp, Nigerians showed a lot of interest in Sevilla FC. All the football lovers in Nigeria are happy. They want to know more about Sevilla now, the fan base in Nigeria is growing every day.”
Credit: NPFL media
Uche Dozie