Premier League Will Be Tough
Segun Adenuga is one of the match commissioners of the just concluded Lagos Junior League. He spoke about his experience and the participating teams’ challenges in the tourney with SUNDAY AKINTOYE
What is your assessment of the just concluded Lagos Junior League?
It started on a very good note but to be honest I don’t like the way some local council chairmen treated their football teams during the league.
How did the local council bosses treated their team?
Only a few council chairmen know the importance of this Junior League. Some teams complained that their woeful performance in the league was caused by the council chairmen.
Are you implying that some council chairmen did not support their teams financially?
You are right. Some teams did not honour their matches, while some team officials complained of delay in match allowance, match bonuses and other incentives. These are intended to be given to motivate the players.
Which area do you think the organisers need to work on?
Honestly, we have not attained our goals. The organisers still have a long way to go, if they want to stabilise this league. As far as football is concerned, it has never happened that some clubs will play their last matches before the end of a league. The matches should be played simultaneously.
Do you mean that the teams did not finish their league matches at the same time?
Yes, some councils have completed their matches two weeks before the Lagos Junior League was concluded. I believe that the organisers need to correct these irregularities before they start the Premier League next season.
Let’s talk about the Premier League now, what should we be expecting?
I am not in the best position to tell you more about the Premier League. What I know is that the top five on the table will play in the Premier League, while others will play in Division I and 11. At the end of the season, some teams will be promoted, while some will be relegated.
What is the difference between those that will play in the Premier League and those that will feature in lower divisions?
The best teams will play in the Premier League. It is going to be tough because no team would want to be relegated to the lower divisions.
What advice do you have for the teams and the organisers?
Let the teams play according to the rules and regulations of the game. I also want to advise the organisers to learn from their past mistakes and employ competent referees to officiate the matches next season.
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