LMC lauds fans for league boost, as nine clubs get big pay-out

Picked this off the LMC website (www.npfl.ng) I think it's a good start. What do y'all think?

Guidelines for the implementation of fan engagement to grow attendance at Glo Premier League matches have been released by the League Management Company (LMC) even as clubs have began to receive their financial rewards instituted to inspire healthy competition and expand the fan base.

Chairman of the LMC, Mr. Shehu Dikko, while congratulating the nine clubs that have so far been rewarded through the initiative, also thanked fans, supporters and Club officials for the massive boost to the efforts of the LMC to drive followership of the league.

Enyimba and Kano Pillars were rewarded for reaching the minimum spectators’ count of 5,000 upwards while Heartland FC and FC Taraba became the first set of clubs to earn the away win bonus. Over 12,000 fans watched the Match Day 1 game between Enyimba and Akwa United while over 10,000 were recorded at the Sani Abacha Stadium when Kano Pillars hosted Bayelsa United.

Five others, Abia Warriors, Kwara United, Sunshine Stars, Akwa United and Lobi Stars earned financial bonus for securing away draws in their respective Match Day 1 fixtures.

“I can confirm that all the nine clubs that met the criteria for the incentives have all been paid to smoothen their operations and deepen their engagement with the host communities,” the LMC Chairman affirmed.

The guidelines assured the clubs that the LMC remains committed to support efforts designed to engage fans and boost match attendance in the Glo Premier League matches. It said that this informed the recent announcement of fan-based incentives, including financial reward for clubs that attain match day attendance figure of up to 5,000 spectators in their home matches.

The guidelines also encouraged clubs to device programmes to achieve the objective of increased attendance and listed such measures to include but not restricted to free admission to games, reduction in gate fees and engaging of entertainment artistes to perform before and during games.

The Clubs were however reminded that it is compulsory to comply with the FIFA Stadium Safety and Security Regulations which requires every club stadium to have verifiable system of counting spectators that gain entry into the stadium for matches. This, it said, ensures that the entry flow and capacity of the stadium can be assessed.

Clubs that offer free admission to their games were also directed to ensure that the VIP gallery can only be accessed by fans who must have paid for their tickets and that every beneficiary of the free entry is issued a numbered ticket whilst also ensuring that all seats in the stands are numbered. The guideline further provided that such non-fee paying spectators must be positioned in the area facing the VIP gallery.

Dikko especially expressed appreciation to families that have attended matches this season and commended them for being “part of the design to build a stronger foundation for the sustenance of our football culture”. He said the LMC will continue to explore all possibilities and support the clubs to make match days pleasurable and hospitable for all age and gender.