LMC: Salihu Abubakar, main man behind the mask News

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LMC: Salihu Abubakar, main man behind the mask

By Daily Sports on December 5, 2016

The League Management Company (LMC) is an outfit registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Abuja to oversee the administration of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). The NPFL is the elite League of Nigeria‘s Football Federation, embracing the 20 most competitive club sides in the country. Its existence dates back to 1990 when a law came into effect to introduce professional football in the country. It partners Supersport, Star lager Beer. It has Shehu Dikko as chairman and Salihu Abubakar as Chief Operating Officer.

The company was solidified and giving a new image and teeth during the tenure of Nduka Irabor. To be honest with you, Irabor and his men worked very hard to ensure our domestic league has identity.

It would be recalled that it was the solid foundation laid by that regime that is manifesting today in the NPFL. The league has stronger image now and even attractive to players, coaches and sundry. Teams no longer fold their hands and go for just players or coaches. In a nut shell, the competition on the pitch and grabbing of first rate personal are keen.

One must also point out that the system rubbed off on the referees, this is not to say that the adamant bad eggs have been completely wiped out, but I believe it is a gradual process. We will get there whereby our officials will be recognised by CAF and FIFA to be in charge of their competitions.

However, it is on record that we, at Daily Sports have been on top of it all reporting the activities of the company. The online portal has endeavoured to be balanced in her reportage. We look at both sides of the coin. We have not failed to urge the LMC on when the need arises and have also called them to order when the company goes offline.

The company has taken some far reaching steps and decisions all geared towards the betterment of our league. Individuals have criticised to high heavens, such lofty ideals and at the end of the day it will be discovered that the LMC is on the right track.

It won’t be out of place to give honour to whom it is due. This man has worked round the clock to give this now near success (LMC) story a one stop touch turning it to a beautiful brand.

That one individual that has been behind this success mask is very disarmingly unassuming and suave, Salihu Abubakar. He is the Chief Operating Officer of the company; trust he has been the smooth operator and engine room moving the fledgling outfit forward, like an old wine that gets better as the day passes. Foremost, he is not one for much talk. For him, intelligent action speaks louder than words. At first meeting, he looks shy but while exchanging ideas, it's when you will notice the kind of brainpower that is Salihu Abubakar. He is not one for much talk. He is a team player, consummate builder of men, material and money. He is a game changer; ask those around him, they will attest even more.

Let me make this point straight, upon my two decades and half on this beat, I have met Abubakar twice not as COO of LMC but when he was holding other offices in NFA. To refresh your memory, I anchored Saturday League page called (Pulse of The Big League) in the old Daily Times from 1998 – 2002 when I left before the new owners of DTN emerged.

Therefore, this write up is purely voluntary, no one in the LMC called for it. I did one on its chairman where l predicted we are almost reaching mouthwatering moment in our league. Are the signs are here now. However, as a responsible media outfit that follows the trends around her area of operation, we do justice to all sides, the records are there.

Let me confess, this page has kept administrators on their toes and I must admit that I have in turn received bashes of anger from some of them, while the courageous ones have applauded.

This kind of article that is coming from one seen as most critical or nemesis of the administrators becomes necessary especially now that all thing being equal, the body is working towards flagging off our league come December 18.

It is therefore, instructive to note that Abubakar as an experienced administrator who believes in excellent organisation of our league to achieve premium league which would not only retain most of our best players but also attract foreign nationals.

Such has been his lot, dream and he has not pretended about such safe imposed target, little wonder therefore, he has been working assiduously behind the scene to ensure such mark would be met within record time.

Needless to posit that all the visibility of LMC has Abubakar as the brain behind them. Those that know his antecedents will quickly nod in agreement that he is not only a workaholic but also a goal getter who does not run away from responsibilities or engage in blame game when there is any lapse. A thorough breed par excellence. A master planner of high magnitude.

He puts his all in anything he believes solemnly in, and the LMC project is no exception. A man of many parts, detribalised, spiced with managerial acumen. He is sure footed, a distance runner of all time. He is said to be steadfast also. His charismatic dispositions are dripping. One of his strong points is his deep sense of judgment which has guided him aright in his day to day discharge of his duties as COO of an emerging powerful football organising company in the giant of Africa.

According to anonymous persons within the company, Salihu Abubakar has displayed gritty, which shows he knows where he is coming from tailoring his day to day accomplishments towards same direction. It was also learnt that the quality of input he extends for LMC job signifies his honest character to create enabling environment for the local league that would stand the test of time when he must have left that scene.

For instance, he, Irabor and the board set the tone which implies that the best accepted practices take hold in our league …then the Shehu Dikko led board is building steadily on it, introducing some new inserts as football administration and organisation remains dynamic all the way.

Abubakar from the look of things wants to create profitable league for Nigeria whose potentials to be among one of the countries sitting on billions of dollars in the continent, cum the world.

The LMC has worked, exploited well laid down way to improve the league such as the window created to pull Nigerian internationals to ply their trade with the NPFL introduced 2014 is still open.

You will agree with me that it is a groundbreaking structure that aimed at enticing them to NPFL. Nigerian players with international exposure were launched by the LMC and already accommodated as far back as 2013/2014 NPFL Framework and Rules.

It’s debuted the ‘Elite Players Project’ was clarified in details to the 20 NPFL clubs in a circular signed by Salihu Abubakar, the LMC Chief Operating Officer and listed the major objective as -improvement of professionalism in the NPFL by permitting clubs to register a maximum of two ex-international players in addition to the maximum 35 allowed in a season.

Introducing the project to the clubs in the circular of April 20, the company said “the LMC hereby brings to the notice of all participating Clubs of the NPFL the beginning of its ‘Elite Players Project’. This project is pursuant to Rules 9.65, 9.67. 13.60.1, 13.60(viii) and 15.21 of the NPFL Framework and Rules 2013/14 season.”

The LMC added the benefits of the scheme to clubs, players, fans, sponsors and the League: “It has been designed to increase and deepen players-experience pool of the league, bolster the morale and confidence of younger players in the NPFL, project the image of the league as a welcoming and conducive playing environment for the return of Nigeria’s finest crop of international professional footballers and boost the mass appeal of the league for commercialisation.”

The LMC conversely listed criteria, which will qualify any player to benefit from the scheme and stated that “the ex-international player must have played for Nigeria at the Olympic Games, Nations Cup, and World Cup or alternatively have earned at least 20 international caps and must have played in a world class league of undisputable pedigree for a minimum of five seasons.” Special circumstances will be determined by the LMC, wavers may be granted in some cases and the Clubs can register such elite players at any point in the season so far they have not exceeded the maximum quota of two in the season.

It would be recalled that South American leagues and South Africa are known to have benefitted hugely from the return of their national stars who made headlines in Europe and it is indeed believed that every South American player, especially Brazil and Argentina always plan to retire from football playing for their domestic league clubs.

The LMC said it will also support the project by paying undisclosed stipends to the players in addition to whatever financial arrangements individual players will reach with interested Clubs.

“To encourage the players settle down, the LMC will pay additional stipends that will make life more comfortable to the elite players and help them adjust faster," Abubakar disclosed.

To further display transparency to grow the league, LMC from day one never tolerated teams that owe their players, coaches and other team officials. See this: LMC Writes Clubs on Indebtedness to Players, Moves to verify claims. It set deadline for compliance and lists applicable sanctions as far back as July 10, 2014. It meant business to develop a new and workable template ushering in a new era for NPFL.

The company with its proactive measures, worried by then spate of reports and outcome of its internal checks mechanism on the implementation of players’ contracts and payment of their remunerations, the executive board of the LMC through the office of then Chairman, Irabor stepped in and warned clubs on the consequences of breaching applicable provisions of NPFL Framework and Rules.

To ensure significant compliance with its Financial Requirements, the LMC has also through a memo signed by the Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar directed clubs to submit proof of compliance to payment of Players’ salaries. The memo read: “Pursuant to powers granted the LMC by Rule 8.1.1 of NPFL Framework and Rules. The LMC steps in as it deems proper to safeguard the interest of players and all stakeholders. Football fraternity in Nigeria, its corporate sponsors and the Nigerian public now have increased faith in NPFL. Abubakar’s sterling qualities were acknowledged by CAF when he and others were appointed as club licensing instructors for the Administrative, Legal and Financial Criteria, the most critical aspect of Club Licensing regulation usually rated A and which meant requirements under these are compulsory.

Club Licensing was initiated in Nigeria by the LMC at the start of 2013/14 season preparatory to the deadline of the 2014/15 season set by CAF. The NFF at the December 2014 AGM ratified and adopted the Licensing Document which prepared the grounds for clubs in NPFL to meet CAF requirements for participation in CAF organized club tournaments.

It will also be recalled that both FIFA and CAF had cause to commend the work done by the LMC in domesticating the global Licensing requirement in the operations of the NPFL and recommended the model to other countries especially in Asia and Africa. This followed presentations made by Abubakar at a FIFA/CAF Club Licensing summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia early this year. Pioneer Chairman of the LMC, Irabor, who initiated Club Licensing in the NPFL, described the development as good for football administration in Nigeria, noting that “the practical experience to be acquired by Nigerians in the course of implementing the licensing requirements on the continent will be of great value to the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.”

Let’s rise in full appreciate of this gentle worker that has devoted his energy and time towards a better league in Nigeria.

Our promise from day one is to highlight vividly any administrator that distinguishes him/herself in a bid to give sports a new lease of life.

In all goodness, Abubakar has sacrificed much and still willing for LMC and NPFL evolution. Discussion Continues! Meanwhile, keep shooting hard, till next week!

•Victor Enyinnaya can be reached via 08055068145 (sms only) or by e-mail via sportzvictor@yahoo.com.au

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 5, 2016