By Amaechi Agbo

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has disclosed that the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season will end between 6 and 8 weeks after coronavirus pandemic, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

The decision to end the league within 8 weeks after post COVID-19 impact was one of resolutions reached between the NFF and the ministry of youth and sports development in a meeting held via video conference on Thursday.

The minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare on Thursday, engaged the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), via video conference, to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on football in Nigeria and to firm up strategies to mitigate the effect of the disruptions and protect the domestic football industry.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Gabriel Aduda was also part of the meeting, while the NFF team was represented by the President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi, 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the NWFL Aisha Falode and NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
COVID-19: Sports Minister engages NFF on impact on Nigerian Football, demands protection of players, domestic league

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare on Thursday, April 16, 2020 engaged the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), via video conference, to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on football in Nigeria and to firm up strategies to mitigate the effect of the disruptions and protect the domestic football industry.

The Minister informed the NFF team that in view of the Coronavirus pandemic that has practically paralysed the sports industry, it is imperative to assess its impact on the domestic sports industry including football and consider strategies for charting a new course for football in the post-COVID-19 era.

He reiterated the need for NFF to keep the stakeholders, including the Government and private sector, duly informed on the steps being taken so they can consider interventions to protect the industry.

At the end of the meeting, it was agreed that the current football season will be concluded within 6-8 weeks of the re-opening of the country and a clear go-ahead by the relevant authorities is obtained to commence football activities.

The format to be adopted upon the resumption of football activities regarding the completion of the various Leagues and Cup competition will be determined by the time available, health and security guidelines, as well as decisions by global football authorities on football calendar and international competitions (CAF and FIFA).

The 2019/2020 NPFL season was suspended in March following the outbreak of Coronavirus otherwise known as COVID-19 which has killed 11 Nigerians with 443 confirmed cases.