REVEALED: Why Sports Ministry Stayed Away From NFF/Stakeholders Meeting
![REVEALED: Why Sports Ministry Stayed Away From NFF/Stakeholders Meeting](https://bestchoicesports.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/dare-and-pinnick-768x317.jpg)
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By Our Correspondent
In a twist of move Thursday, the ministry of youth and sports , stayed away from the Nigeria Football Federation meeting with stakeholders in Nigeria football to take a final decision on how to conclude the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League Season, Bestchoicesports.com.ng reports.
The sports ministry distanced itself from the meeting on the last minutes despite being in the plans for the video conference meeting.
The sports minister, Sunday Dare in tweet on Sunday said that the ministry is consulting with relevant individuals in the sector on the beat decision to end the league.
The meeting was called on Monday following sequel to NPFL club owners decision Sunday to abort the league season adopting Point Per Game, PPG system to decide the country’s continental representatives.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Gabriel Aduda said the ministry distanced itself from the meeting in order to give the participated need liberty to discuss issues on the agenda.
Aduda however said that the ministry is waiting for briefings on the outcome of the meeting.
“Wish to state clearly that it was not part of the meeting of the Nigeria Football Federation, club owners and other stakeholders convened to decide on how best to end the ongoing season which was put on hold due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.
“The Minister had directed the NFF to come up with the best possible options to end the league in line with the spirit of fair play and justice.
According to a statement by the permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Gabriel Aduda
“Following a virtual meeting Presided over by the Honourable Minister on Monday, the Ministry directed that an enlarged meeting of the stakeholders should be convened to deliberate, agree and find a way forward and NFF should revert to the Ministry. Although the Ministry was invited, it decided to exclude itself to enable the stakeholders thrash out the critical issues and revert to the Ministry”
Aduda further informed that “The Ministry awaits the final decision of the meeting communicated to it officially after which it would confer with the necessary authorities to make a final pronouncement on the league
“The final decision on the league would be guided by the Covid-19 protocols and infrastructure.
The Minister had taken a bold decision by advising the Federal government to postpone the Edo National Sports Festival earlier scheduled for March 20th – April 1st 2020 due to the Pandemic,” he said.
17 out of 20 club owners Sunday voted for the cancellation of the league.