The League Management Company LMC, has announced the commencement date of the 2021 edition of the NPFL/Laliga U-15 Promises Youth League.
The announcement was made by the Chairman of the LMC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, in a Press Conference held at the corporate head office of the league body in the country’s capital City, Abuja.
Among those present at the event was the country Director of Laliga, Desmond Chiji, the Honourable Commissioner for Sports in Enugu State, Manfred Nzekwe, NFF Deputy Director of technical, coach Paul Aigbogun and ex Nigerian international, Garba Lawal.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the LMC said: “The 2021 version of the NPFL Laliga U-15 Promises Youth League is dear to us; it has been very successful over the years, and we have to thank Laliga for giving us the ideas and support to get this going over the years, said Dikko.”
“It is time to get boys to come and play, after the disruption of last year’s edition as a result of the emergence of COVID-19.”
“So far, we’ve done the usual coaches training online and this project has sent over 500 coaches across the NPFL and the grassroot sector of Nigerian football, and as at today, every club in the top flight has a player or two that has passed through this project in the last few years.”
“We’re also doing this programme to unveil Enugu State Government. We thank the Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for being magnanimous enough to see the vision of this project.”
“This time, Government of Enugu State will host all the participants for the duration of the entire competition. We also thank the Honourable Commissioner for Sports for his efforts in making things work.”
While thanking the League Management Company and Enugu State Government, the Laliga country Director, Desmond Chiji said: “Our commitment towards the NPFL has always been the same and the development of football in the country remains our priority, that’s why we’ll keep supporting the growth of the game in anyway we know how.
“Football speaks a lot of languages, Laliga speaks more than language and that is the message we preach through our logos. We want to speak the local language; we want to be part of what is happening in Nigeria.
The Honourable Commissioner while conveying the message of his Governor, maintained that Enugu State is the safest Haven for youth developmental programmes such as the NPFL/Laliga U-15 Youth League.
“The Governor has assured that Enugu State will host this year’s edition of the programme and everything has been put in place for a successful hosting.
“We’re also assuring you that the state being the capital of South Eastern states is one of the safest in terms of security of lives and property.
This year’s edition of the NPFL/Laliga U-15 Promises Youth League will hold between 14th and 28th of April 2021 with Katsina United FC U-15 side as the defending Champions.