By Amaechi Agbo

The decision by the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL organisers of the Nigeria Women Premier League, NWPL to adopt an abridged format for the 2020 season may not have come as a surprise to ardent followers of the 30-yearold league, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

On Tuesday, February 18^, 2020, the NWFL announced that the 2020 NWPL will retain its abridged format which it adopted during the 2019 season.

Explaining the rational for the repeat of the format, the chairperson of the NWFL, Aisha Falode said during the draw for the new season that the decision to play abridged league was due to the success story recorded during the previous season.

Addressing the NWFL board members, club owners and stakeholders during the Annual General Meeting, AGM held in Edo state, Mrs Falode said that the success of 2019 abridged League in the NWPL which saw the emergence of two debutants; Confluence Queens of Kogi and Adamawa Queens in the final is the reason the current season will follow the same format.

“The 2019 abridged League in the NWPL was successful and eventful. This extended to the NWPL Super 4 whose final had two debutants; Confluence Queens of Kogi and Adamawa Queens.” “We are going to exploit these opportunities in the new season. Let me at this Juncture thank the Honourable Ministers who have demonstrated the zeal and enthusiasm towards the actualisation of the promises made.

“The NWFL Pro-League was well coordinated by the Vice Chairman, Rt. Honourable Margaret Incheen. We had no doubt in our minds that she was going to do well. Her antecedents as Benue State FA Chairman, was indeed an added advantage. The promoted teams from the Pro-League to the Premier League will be confirmed in the AGM/ Congress.

“Over the last three seasons, we have had to do a lot of steadying the NWFL ship by removing the many obvious clogs in the wheel of the smooth operation of the league. This was the foundation we had to lay, in order to have achieve our aim of significantly growing the league.

“The timing for this is perfect, as this year 2020 makes it thirty years of women league football in Nigeria. It is therefore only important that we take bold and intentional steps towards achieving the NWFL we all can be proud of.

The thirty year anniversary of the women league football in Nigeria and Africa is a major milestone that is worthy of celebration, and we have highlighted various programs and projects towards making this the turning point in women league football in Nigeria and Africa.

 “We are grateful to the leadership of the Nigeria Referees Association for giving us their best hands to officiate our matches.

The board of the NWFL greatly appreciate members of the media, for the overwhelming coverage of the three tiers of the league.”

“Our appreciation goes to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Amaju Pinnick for all the efforts he has made to get sponsors for the NWFL.” 

“We thank the entire Executive Committee of the NFF and General Secretary for their continued support and commitment to the development of Women Football.

“We cannot leave out the club owners and state governments that run the clubs. We appreciate your continued support and sacrifice which has kept the clubs going, we say more grease to your elbow,” she said.

She commended the Edo State government for hosting the AGM once more and for ensuring that both their female and male clubs earn equal pay.

“In 2019 Edo accommodated us for the NWFL Pro-League and the Amateur League, and today we are back for our AGM/Congress in 2020. This is a reflection of the fact that Edo is fast becoming the home of modern women’s football in Nigeria.” 

“Let me also note it at this congress that Edo Queens is the only club in Nigeria and indeed the world that is enjoying pay parity with their Male counterparts Insurance FC. This is a milestone and a record setting achievement that should be emulated by other women club owners in the country.”