By Amaechi Agbo

Bestchoicesports.com.ng has scooped how some clubs’ refusal or inability to conclude their registration formalities have forced the management of the Nigeria National League, NNL, to postpone the kick-off date of the new season by three weeks.

Football followers and indeed Nigerians were Thursday thrown into a huge shock when the NNL announced that the much awaited Friday, November 1st kick-off date was no longer feasible.

The NNL in a short message by its media officer, Amar Ignis informed the general public Thursday that the 2019/2020 new season will no longer start on Friday.

The message which came with no apologies added that the reason for the postponement of the league to a new date of November 21, 2019 was based on “logistics.”

“Attention. The Management of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has extended the commencement of the 2019/2020 season by 21 days.
“The league will no longer kick off Friday 1st of November ,2019. This decision was taken after due consultation with stakeholders to enable certain logistics to be ready for the kick off,” the statement read.

However, Bestchoicesports.com.ng has scooped that the league postponment was as a result of none conclusion of registration processes by most clubs.

Consequently, the Nigeria National League Club Owners and Managers Association (NALCOMA) wrote to the league management requesting for last minutes shift in the commencement date.

In a letter sent to NNL on October 31 signed by the Secretary General of NALCOMA, Layi Adesiyan and made available to Bestchoicesports.com.ng, the association notified the league management of the fact that over 65% of the clubs are yet to conclude their registration formalities and requested for two weeks delay in the kick-off date.

Part of the letter headed ‘Re: Commencement Of The 2019/2020 League Season’ reads: “I am directed to refer to your circular letter dated October 30th, 2019 on the above subject and to inform you that members of the Nigeria National League Club Owners and Managers Association (NALCOMA) wishes to request for a two (2) weeks postponement for commencement of the league.

“This is as a result of the fact that about 2/3 of the club (sic) are yet to perfect their registration for the season. The two (2) weeks delay will enable these clubs to perfect such to enable the league run smoothly and avoid throwing the NNL into disrepute.

“It has however been agreed that any club that failed to perfect its registration after the agreed two (2) weeks may be denied participation in the 2019/2020 league.”

This late postponement came after clubs who were scheduled on away fixtures had travelled to their various match venues ahead of their encounter.