Sports

NPFL Issues Practice Direction to Coaches, Players, and Ball Boys

Published

3 years ago

November 23, 2023

…Frowns at Coaches poor dressing, Players time wasting injury simulation, Disappearance of Ball Boys

Joel Ajayi

Clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) have been advised to curb a number of conduct of their Coaches, Players, and Ball Boys during fixtures of the season.

In a memo to the Clubs, titled”Regulating MatchDay Conduct of Coaches, Players and Ball Boys”, Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer reminded the clubs that relevant provisions of the NPFL Framework and Rules will be invoked to ensure that no individual or group demeaned the public perception of the league.

The memo, he noted was intended to avert the minds of leadership of all clubs to some inappropriate conduct that are tainting the league and bringing the game to disrepute.

It began by drawing attention to the dress code of Coaches, some of who the league categorized as “appearing for matches in inappropriate apparel that portray the entire league in a bad light”.

Warning that henceforth such Coaches would be charged based on relevant provisions of the rules, the NPFL appealed, “to the leadership of our Clubs to take interest in the dress codes of their Coaches who sit on the bench especially now that our games are on television”

“Football broadcast requires intentional packaging from arrival of teams to the dressing rooms, to the field, bench, and actual play. Let us join hands with our Broadcast Partners to make the league attractive to viewers at home and fans in the stadium”, the memo stated.

It raised a second issue of simulation of injury by players to hold up matches in a bid to run down the clock thereby denying fee-paying fans full value for money and time.

“Football has been accepted as big business with entertainment value and this frequent disruption robs the league games of entertainment spectacle. It does not encourage fans who have paid money and spent time to watch games”, Owumi observed and urged clubs to encourage their Coaches to adopt fair means of getting results.

The memo also frowned at the resort to hiding match balls by Ball Boys of home teams to confer undue advantage through time wasting when the ball is out of play.

“We have already mandated Match Commissioners and Independent Secret Assessors to eradicate the disappearance act of Ball Boys with balls to the advantage of home teams in the course of a match”.

It said Match Commissioners have been issued a new practice direction of ensuring that the number of Ball Boys and Balls remains the same as it was at the start of the match.

“Match Commissioners are henceforth at liberty to ask the Referee to add every minute wasted by this disreputable conduct”, Owumi disclosed, adding that, “the NPFL would not hesitate to impose appropriate sanctions on offending clubs”.

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Sports

NSC, NOC Task Journalists on Gender Equality in Sports Reporting

Published

2 hours ago

October 26, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, and the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel and Chairperson of the NOC Women’s Commission, Professor Florence Adeyanju, have urged sports journalists to intensify awareness of women’s participation and achievements in sports.

They made the call on Monday in Abuja while speaking at the opening of a two-day seminar organised by the NOC Women’s Commission for sports journalists, aimed at promoting gender equality and improving media coverage of women in sports.

Olopade stressed that women could not be sidelined in Nigeria’s sports development, urging journalists to give greater attention to female athletes and their contributions to the sector.

In his remarks, Eng Gumel said the media had a significant role in shaping public perception of women in sports, noting that balanced and inclusive reporting would encourage more girls to participate and inspire women to take up leadership positions.

He described the seminar as a strategic initiative to change the narrative surrounding women’s participation and achievements in sports, while commending the Women’s Commission for its commitment to promoting gender equality.
According to him, the seminar was designed not merely to improve sports reporting but also to change the narrative surrounding women’s participation and achievements in the sporting sector.
He noted that the programmes had helped build capacity, provide mentorship and inspire women to contribute more effectively to sports development
The president described the journalists’ seminar as a strategic way to conclude the tenure of the current Women Commission, expressing satisfaction that its final programme focused on the media’s influence in advancing women’s participation in sports.

He urged participants to make the most of the seminar by engaging actively, asking questions and acquiring the knowledge needed to become advocates for women in sports journalism.

Earlier in her welcome addressed, the Chairperson of the NOC Women’s Commission, Professor Florence Adeyanju, called on journalists to use their influence to promote fairness, inclusiveness and equal opportunities for women and girls in sports.

Adeyanju observed that although sports had traditionally been perceived as a male-dominated field, many women had overcome barriers to participate and excel.

She noted that sports offered enormous benefits to girls, including improved skills, self-confidence and resilience, while opening doors to lifelong opportunities.

According to her, journalists’ reports, photographs and attitudes significantly influence public perceptions of female athletes, warning against coverage that prioritises physical appearance over sporting skills and achievements.

She urged participants to embrace modern sports reporting techniques that challenge stereotypes and remove barriers that have hindered women’s participation in sports.

Adeyanju also encouraged the journalists to share the knowledge acquired at the seminar and produce reports that would inspire future generations.

She expressed appreciation to Gumel and the NOC board for supporting the commission’s initiative.

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