NWPL to begin abridged 2018/2019 season July 17

The 2018/2019 Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) season will begin on July 17 in an abridged format, the participating clubs and organising officials have agreed.

According to the communique of the NWPL Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Abuja on Thursday night, the congress agreed that the league would have four clubs in four groups.

“This is to make up for lost time and to also properly fund the indemnities of the season.

“ Winners of each of the four groups will play a Super 4 competition to determine the overall winners of the 2018/2019 league season,” it said.

It was also agreed at the congress that the last team in each of the groups would participate in a playoff.

This is to determine the two teams which would be relegated to the professional league (Pro-League) league at the end of the season.

The congress also approved the amount to be paid for the cautions received by players (yellow cards) during the season.

While N5,000 would be paid for each yellow card, N10,000 would be paid for dismissals or sending-offs (red card).

Also, all clubs indebted to the league were given a grace period, till July 10, to pay up or be expelled from the league.

Clubs were also advised to pay all the outstanding players’ salaries and give priority to the welfare of their players.

The AGM agreed that failure to do this should lead to erring clubs facing sanctions.

The communique also added that an arrangement was being made with the Spanish La Liga to have winners of the 2018/2019 season travel to Spain for an international tournament.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the draws for the 2018/2019 NWPL were also concluded at the AGM, with the participating clubs drawn as follows:

Group A

Rivers Angels

Osun Babes

Delta Queens

FC Robo

Group B

Dream Stars Ladies

Heartland Queens

Adamawa Queens

Edo Queens

Group C

Bayelsa Queens