By Amaechi Agbo

The management of the Nigeria Nationwide League One, NLO has directed clubs participating in the 2020/2021 season that football at the grassroots is ‘no long business as usual’, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

The league body stated this is a letter sent to State Football Associations as well as participating clubs in the league.

The management noted that with the categorization of sports as a business and no longer a recreational activity in the country by the federal government, there is the need for clubs to brace up for the policy and its full implementation in the league.

“The Nigeria Nationwide league One hereby wish to draw the attention of all our clubs to Nigeria Federal Government recategorization sports as a business sector of the economy.

“The implication of this is that the participation and involvement in the game of football in Nigeria will not be business as usual but will be treated as real business sector with the purpose profit making and employment generation.

“Sequel to above, the Nigeria Nationwide League One is taking a bold step to ensure that all i’s are dotted and all t’s are crossed in ensuring the grassroots league in Nigeria lay a good foundation in this perspective.

“Details of this arrangements in ensuring our dubs play to the rules at recategorization of sports and football especially as business venture will be communicated as soon as the Board approves the process presented by the Secretariat,” the letter dated September 17 2020, signed by the NLO Chief Operating Officer Mr Olushola Ogunnowo and made available to our correspondent, read.

The 2020/2021 NLO season is expected to commence in October and end in May 2021