LMC insists on March 2015 kick-off for Glo Premier League

Pillars, Heartland tango in Week One star match

THE League Management Company (LMC) has warned all the participating clubs in the 2014/2015 season of the Globacom Premier League to prepare their teams for the seasons opening matches on March 7, as it would no longer shift the beginning of the season any further.

  Speaking at the draws for the new season in Abuja, the LMC noted that even as the league is commencing late, the fixtures have been carefully planned to ensure that matches would not be played on Saturdays of March 28 and April 11, which are the days set aside for presidential and governorship elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC). It, however, revealed that more midweek matches would be played during the first round to make up for the lost weeks.

 LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salisu Abubakar, also said that the LMC had taken note of all the clubs that are playing in continental championships, stressing that the season’s fixtures also did much to give them the opportunity to excel in the continent.

  “It is obvious that we are not starting the new season on time. So there will be no going back on the March 7 date. All the clubs have been put on alert that the date is sacrosanct. We have carefully arranged the fixtures to avoid playing on the two Saturdays of March and April when the country would be going for elections. But mid week matches are billed to take place during the first round to cover all lost weeks, but the second round would be strictly weekend,” he assured.

  From the draws conducted at the Transcorp Hotel in Abuja, defending champions, Kano Pillars, were drawn to begin their title defence away from home against Heartland in the week’s star match at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri while Federation Cup champions, Enyimba of Aba, will host neighbours, Akwa United of Uyo, as Sharks entertain Sunshine Stars of Akure at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

 It will also be a returnees’ battle at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi when Shooting Stars of Ibadan, which just returned the Premier League from the National League, meet another returnee to the elite league, Wikki Tourists in Bauchi.

  Another newcomer, Gabros of Nnewi will welcome African Confederation Cup contestants, Warri Wolves in Nnewi, just as Giwa FC of Jos will host Abia Warriors in Jos.