Sports
NPFL Unveils Official Match Ball ‘Pro Star Evolution’ For Nigeria Premier League
….Expect more innovations in NPFL-Elegbeleye
Joel Ajayi
With the buzz and excitement building ahead of the second stanza of the Nigeria Premier League, NPL, the new Match ball Pro Star Evolution that will be used for the rest of campaign has been unveiled.
The FIFA and CAF standard 400 balls was given to 20 clubs where each club will get 20 balls for the second stanza of the League that will commenced this weekend.
At unveiling of the match ball on Monday in the Nations capital city, the chairman of NPFL Gbenga Elegbeleye said the weather friendly and FIFA standard product (ball) will be use at match venue as second stanza is on the way.
According to him, distribution is aimed at standardized the Nigeria league in bid to make it one if the best in Africa. According to him, each club will get 20 balls in the first phase as they hope to increase number before the end of the season.
The distribution before the kick off of the second half of the season is for the clubs to practice with it such that they will be used to it ahead of the kick off.
“In a deliberate effort to standardize the league, the NPFL management is unveiling the match balls which will be give to twenty clubs. This will enable them to train with the balls ahead of the start of the second stanza. Our strategic sponsor, GTI is responsible for bringing the balls which can flow well under all weather conditions. Each club will get 20 balls.
While speaking about the expectations for the second stanza of the League that will commenced this weekend, Elegbeleye said Nigeria should expect more innovations and improvement in the league.
“We want our league to be the best in Africa, At least part of it is what we are doing today, unveiling of CAF and FIFA standard Match Balls, improving our portfolio and more innovations to make the system work.
“On our own, will continue to project the league in a way that will gain the respect of Africa. We want to improve on every available opportunity.
“Now in NPFL any teams can win anywhere,You can see the improvement in the standard of our initiative.
“When we meet with referees ahead of the games, at the workshop, the Online seminar, it was quite fantastic.They promised to improve. Of course, like I said yesterday, the meeting with referees, there is a low participation in any league in the world. We are always striving to get something close to near perfection”.
Also speaking, the representative of GTI, Mr Nelson Ine said the intention is to get a uniform ball for match-day in the NPFL, adding that it was distributed earlier so that the players will be used to it.
“GTI is doing everything in making sure that the league gets to where it ought to be. This is one of the reasons we deemed it fit to get balls for all twenty clubs in the league. The ball is FIFA and CAF standard and playable under any weather conditions”.
Owumi in his votes of thanked applauded the GTI as well as Media for their positive impact on the league saying that, visibility of the league today is top notch combing with competitive balance, quality on increase.
He, therefore, sought the support of all stakeholders to work hand in hands to face lift the Nigeria League.
Sports
NLO’s Shola Ogunowo Earns Praise for Driving Grassroots Football and Exemplifying Integrity
Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian football community has lauded Mr. Shola Ogunowo, Chief Operating Officer of the Nationwide League One (NLO), for his unwavering commitment to integrity and the development of grassroots football, earning him widespread respect and admiration across the sporting landscape.
In a statement released in Abuja and signed by Okechukwu Okebugwu, Mr. Ogunowo was praised as a transformative leader who has redefined the ethics and standards of football administration at the grassroots level. According to the release, Ogunowo has emerged as a “leading figure in the fight against match-fixing, bribery, and all forms of corruption” that have plagued the lower tiers of Nigerian football for decades.
Through consistent enforcement of transparency, fairness, and accountability, Mr. Ogunowo is steering the NLO toward becoming a credible platform where talent can be discovered and nurtured based on merit, rather than manipulation or favoritism.
“In an environment where shortcuts and compromises are all too common, Shola Ogunowo has remained a pillar of integrity,” Okebugwu stated. “He is restoring credibility to grassroots football by ensuring that fair play, discipline, and professionalism are non-negotiable.”
Since taking over as COO, Ogunowo has spearheaded a number of structural reforms aimed at instilling discipline and operational excellence among participating clubs. These include stricter licensing requirements, performance audits, and compliance monitoring to ensure clubs uphold the league’s code of conduct. His administration has also emphasized youth development, with a renewed focus on coaching education and player welfare.
The result is a reinvigorated Nationwide League One that is beginning to attract renewed attention from fans, corporate sponsors, and local communities. Observers say Ogunowo’s leadership is helping reshape perceptions of grassroots football—not just as a stepping stone to the elite leagues, but as a vital foundation for the future of Nigerian football.
“His leadership is not only impacting the pitch—it’s rebuilding trust, creating real value, and setting a good standard for sports administration in Nigeria,” Okebugwu concluded.
As the NLO season progresses, many stakeholders believe that with figures like Shola Ogunowo at the helm, the future of grassroots football in Nigeria is not only secure, but promising.
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