Ikorodu Divisional League Kicks – Off Jan 15

Kunle Adelabu

Alhaji Luqman Shonibare, Chairman, Ikorodu Divisional Football Association (IDFA) (2nd left front row), the IDFA League Coordinator (2nd right front row), Prince Jimoh Ogunmuyiwa, patron of the IDFA and former Nigeria Professional League Referee and match commissioner (left) and Mr Hassan Olasunkanmi David, Ikorodu Football Referees’ Society (right) and others after the meeting on Wednesday,

The management of the Ikorodu Divisional Football Association (IDFA) has announced January 15, 2020, as the commencement date for the Divisional league.

This was announced at a meeting held on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, and attended by chieftains of the IDFA led by its Chairman, Alhaji Luqman Shonibare.

 Also at the meeting were patron of the IDFA and former Nigeria Professional League Referee and match commissioner, Prince Jimoh Ogunmuyiwa, the IDFA League Coordinator, Chief Yisa Orelesi, representatives of the Referee Council led by Mr Hassan Olasunkanmi David, and representatives of the participating clubs.

THE IMPACT reporter represented the media in the division.

The six teams registered for the 2021 league season are: Kareem FC (Imota), Jesus Link FC (LASPOTECH), Cottage FC (Isawo), Unizee FC (Imota), Brown FC (Ogolonto) and Ultimate Villa FC (Ikorodu).

Five venues have already been approved for the league but are still subject to final approval based on the recommendations that will be submitted by the inspectors appointed by the IDFA Chairman.

 Chief Yisa, Prince Jimoh Ogunmuyiwa and Comrade Odenike are saddled with the responsibilities of inspecting the five fields and are expected  to submit their report by January 10, 2021.

According to the IDFA Chairman, the next league season will adhere strictly to the rules guiding the game and code of conduct that will be issued before the commencement of the league.

He also stated that there will be pre – match meetings by stakeholders at every venue before matches.

“It is time to start doing things properly. Our people must be ready to follow the rules of the game strictly and also the rules that we will be releasing before the commencement of the league.

 “We are going to start having a pre – match meeting at least an hour before matches with match officials and teams to discuss and resolve whatever issues that are on ground. This will allow us to have a league without any hitch.

 “Match officials can start the game before the scheduled 4.00pm which is the global standard, but not a minute late. If you start late, then, you must explain the reason to the IDFA”, he said.

 He also stated that security of match officials, teams and spectators are been given necessary attention.

 Alhaji Shonibare also announced that the IDFA will be presenting the teams with a match ball each and a set of bibs with different colours.

Another important issue resolved at the meeting is the remuneration of the match Referees which stakeholders agreed on at the meeting that it should be increased.

It was also resolved that officials, teams and spectators must strictly observe the COVID – 19 protocols during matches by using facemasks, maintaining social/physical distance and not engaging in handshakes.

The week one fixtures, as exclusively released to THE IMPACT by the IDFA Chairman, is as follows:

Ultimate Villa FC v Brown FC, January 15

Jesus Link FC v Cottage FC, January 16

Kareem FC v Unizee FC January 17.

Meanwhile, THE IMPACT gathered that the final annual Bolowotan Gold Cup will be played on January 10, 2020, at the Police Barracks Playing Ground, Igbogbo road, Ikorodu.

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