Sports
Sustaining Achievements Of NPFL Calls For Consistency
The quality of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is on a path of positive transformation, sailing on the winds of enhanced transparency, professional management and greater public investment.
On sustaining these laudable achievements, the GTI Group, stated, “Therefore, the recent ugly incident at Jos should be properly investigated and appropriate sanctions applied accordingly to forestall future occurrences.”
It maintained that the pieces of evidence and attestation of a new dawn for the NPFL frankly affirm that the managers of the league are seriously committed to a safe environment for match day activities, with zero tolerance for crowd violence.
By enforcing immediate sanctions on players, clubs and fans who engage in disruptive behaviour, the league now underscores the importance of respect and security. This firm stance preserves the joy of the game for all and upholds the integrity of the NPFL experience.
ALSO READ: Sporting Lisbon Appoints João Pereira To Succeed Ruben Amorim
In its view, upholding professional standards by the NPFL means accountability across all levels! Recently, a popular player that upcoming Nigerian stars look up to threw caution to the winds by making a sweeping statement against a match official and was sanctioned for unprofessional conduct.
This simply demonstrates that no one is above the league’s code of conduct. This approach ensures that all parties, from players to fans, respect the NPFL values, thereby reinforcing a disciplined and fair environment for the beautiful game to thrive.
Football pundits notice that significant progress has been made in the past two years with the help of the NPFL’s strategic partners, the GTI Group, maintaining this momentum still requires maximum dedication to core principles that define a top-flight league.
Nigerian football stakeholders aver that transparency is now the cornerstone of the NPFL as Nigerians from all walks of life, including those in the diaspora have all noticed a new ray of hope for the game that was nearly in comatose a few years back.
They give credit to the GTI Group, sporting media and the present board of the NPFL headed by Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye for working round the clock to ensure a rebirth of our elite league. Through clear-cut decision-making processes and publicly accessible data, the league has fostered a culture of trust.
Fans and stakeholders can now monitor teams’ progress, match day outcomes and league decisions, thereby minimizing biases and setting a new bar for accountability in Nigerian sports.
In a game where fair play is everything, the NPFL match officials are bound to the highest standards of integrity when it comes to officiating. The league has now introduced stricter guidelines and oversight to ensure that referees and officials uphold the spirit of fair competition.
Regular training and ethical oversight are in place to safeguard the league’s reputation, making sure every match is fair and competitive.
However, through the introduction of The Nigeria Football Fund (TNFF) by the GTI Group, fans now have a tangible stake in the NPFL. This investment model allows Nigerians and other stakeholders to support the league directly thereby fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility through investment in the Fund.
Simply put, TNFF strengthens the bond between the league and its fans, giving the people a say in the future of Nigerian football, while generating financial resources for the sustenance of the elite league.
As the NPFL continues its journey, the focus remains on transparency, integrity and public ownership. Thus, by working together, fans, officials and players can secure a future for Nigerian football that is built on pride, passion, and professionalism as seen in other glamorous leagues in the world. In every game and every decision, GTI, sporting media and NPFL are building a legacy that Nigerians and her children yet unborn can celebrate and be proud of.
Leicester City have announced the immediate dismissal of Steve Cooper as the club’s manager, following their 2-1 loss to Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.
The club confirmed the decision in a statement published on its official website on Sunday, titled “Leicester City Part Company With Steve Cooper.”
In the statement, the Leicester City board acknowledged Cooper’s efforts but cited the need for a change in leadership.
READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery Cuts Petrol Price To ₦970 per Litre For Marketers
“The Board recognizes the hard work and commitment Steve Cooper has shown during his tenure but believes now is the right time for a new direction,” the statement read.
The defeat to Chelsea at the King Power Stadium capped a string of underwhelming performances that have left the Foxes struggling in the league.
Bayern Munich’s star striker, Harry Kane, has firmly responded to recent criticism by delivering a stunning performance on the pitch, setting a new Bundesliga record for the fastest player to reach 50 goals.
Kane’s second-half hat-trick in Bayern’s 3-0 home victory over Augsburg on Friday not only propelled the team eight points clear at the top of the table but also saw him hit the milestone in just 43 games, surpassing Erling Haaland’s previous record of 50 goals in 50 matches.
READ ALSO: Simon Ekpa’s Arrest Will Restore Peace In South East, Says Enugu Gov’t
The England captain’s clinical display included two penalty goals, extending his remarkable streak to 25 consecutive penalties scored for both club and country since his last miss against France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.
This hat-trick marked Kane’s seventh in the Bundesliga since joining Bayern in the summer of 2023.
The 31-year-old’s hat-trick comes after he faced criticism during the international break, with some suggesting he should make way for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
Addressing the doubters, Kane stated, “I’m used to that now,” acknowledging that the pressure of being a top striker is part of the territory. “I’m experienced enough to know that comes with being one of the top players, one of the top strikers.”
Despite the criticism, Kane feels he is in the best form of his career. “All I can do is do my talking on the pitch, like I did tonight,” he said, reinforcing his focus on letting his performances speak for themselves.
Kane also mentioned he has yet to speak with incoming England manager Thomas Tuchel, who also resides in Munich, but anticipates a conversation about his experiences and how the team can improve under the new coach.
“I’m sure we’ll have a conversation on the experiences I’ve had, the good and bad things, and what we can improve,” he added.
The English Premier League (EPL) has announced the official dates for the 2025/26 season, with the campaign set to kick off on Saturday, August 16, 2025, and conclude on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
The schedule, released in a statement titled “Dates for 2025/26 Premier League season confirmed,” also includes significant changes aimed at improving player welfare, particularly during the festive period.
READ MORE: NNPC Ltd Pledges Collaboration To Develop Nigerian Football
For the first time, the Premier League has ensured that no two match rounds will take place within 60 hours of each other during the busy Christmas and New Year period.
Additionally, the league confirmed there will be no fixtures on Christmas Eve, addressing long-standing concerns from players and clubs over the demanding festive schedule.
The statement highlighted: “The schedule continues to allow more rest time for players over the festive match-round period, with no two rounds taking place within 60 hours of each other.
“This is in keeping with commitments made to clubs to address the congested Christmas and New Year schedule.”
The 2025/26 campaign will feature 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds, providing a balanced and evenly distributed calendar for players and fans.
The season’s start date of August 16 ensures players have 83 days of rest following the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign—the longest break possible within the calendar constraints.
The season’s end date, May 24, 2026, ensures all fixtures are completed ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup, giving players adequate preparation time for the global tournament.
The Premier League emphasized its commitment to prioritizing player welfare while maintaining the competition’s intensity and appeal.
“The start date of August 16 allows for the maximum player rest time available—83 clear days—from the end of the 2024/25 season. The season end date of May 24, 2026, ensures the Premier League season finishes ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup call-up period. There will be no fixture on December 24, 2025.”
NGO Empowers 180 Market Women In Akwa Ibom
Steve Cooper Dismissed As Leicester Manager
Dangote Refinery Cuts Petrol Price To ₦970 per Litre For Marketers
I Am Just A Content Creator – Simon Ekpa Denies Biafran Leadership Role
Adamawa Courts Jail Twelve Internet Fraudsters
National Assembly In Top Gear For Tinubu’s 2025 Budget Presentation
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
