NLO Gets April 13 As 2023/24 Season Kick Off Date

NLO Gets April 13 As 2023/24 Season Kick Off Date

Precious Oham

The Nationwide League One has approved Saturday April 13 as the new kick off date for the 2023/2024 season, BSNSports.com.ng reports. 

This was contained in a communique issued at the Annual General Meeting of the NLO, held on Saturday in Abuja. 

The Congress equally noted that the new kick off date will give the clubs the ample time and opportunity to intensify preparations for the new season. 

They also approved an increment for the registration fee due to the economic downturn adding that it is mandatory for all clubs to ensure prompt payments of their annual registration fees.

According to them, only TV friendly stadiums that have been approved by the Nigeria Football Federation would be allowed to host matches in the coming season. 

The communique reads: "The Congress approved Saturday April 13, 2024, as season kickoff date to give the clubs ample time and opportunity to recruit more talented players knowing that most of their players might have been transferred during the professional league transfer window in January. While registration starts Saturday December 9, 2023 and closes Friday March 1, 2024.

"The Congress approved increment of registration fee due to the economic situation in the world from N200, 000 to N300, 000 (this include affiliation to the NLO). The registration procedure in NLO has been adjudged to be more secured and tamper proof. That any club that does not pay or complete its registration will be sanctioned according to the rules and regulations of the NLO.

"The Congress adopted STADIUM LEAGUE format and matches will be played in TV friendly stadiums across the country. And the NLO Secretariat will determine the venues based on previously approved venues for Professional league matches by NFF. 

"The Congress approved the NLO 10 years master plan submitted to NFF in 2021. Among the details are to expand the League, ensure life after football and make the League profitable. 

"The Board observed that most of the clubs don't pay their annual registration fees, this has made the NLO Secretariat run into debts. The NLO Congress has made it mandatory for all the clubs to pay their annual registration fees or forget about playing in the league. The Secretariat will end club registration on the closing date.

"The Congress approved that the NLO U-19 Youth league should look more inward to register more 15 and 16 years old players from 2024 season to enhance the development of the League and the Nation at large. That the registration document required for Youth league from 2024 season will be the NIN and Primary School Certificate."