Irabor advises NPFL clubs on finances

Former chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), organisers of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Nduka Irabor, is upset clubs still struggle with funding and believes things can change with the “right approach.”
Irabor was speaking against the backdrop of the crisis that threatened to rock NPFL club, Dolphins ahead of Saturday’s CAF Confederation Cup game against Tunisian side, Club Africain.
Players of Dolphins threatened to boycott the game against the Tunisians over disagreements on appearance bonuses and only agreed to travel at the last minute after high level negotiations.
“Those who run these clubs just don’t understand that they are sitting on money-making football institutions.
“It’s a pity that these clubs have to wait for their respective state governments to release funds before every important game when they can, with the right approach, actually raise funds independently,” he said.
The former LMC chief believes Nigerian clubs can be run in truly professional fashion if the fans are integrated in the scheme of things.
“The most important thing is to bring the fans back to the stadia. The incentive is to make them (the fans) understand that they own a stake in the clubs.
“If these fans regularly contribute a token monthly, a club can be run effectively from such proceeds but it’s just left for our clubs to take notice and do the needful,” he said.