FIFA writes Pinnick, congratulates Kano Pillars

World football –governing body, FIFA has kept its pledge of monitoring intensely events in Nigeria football, as the body on Thursday congratulated newly –crowned Nigeria Premier League champions, Kano Pillars.

In a letter addressed to NFF President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick and personally signed by FIFA President, Mr. Joseph S. Blatter, FIFA commended the entire Kano Pillars family for a job well done and also highlighted the capacity of football to transform societies.
“I know that behind this success are the belief and effort of everyone involved. This is a true team victory, and all of you deserve to share in the accolades: the players and coach of course, but also the technical and medical staff, and not least, the loyal fans. The dynamism and commitment of the Kano Pillars team have enabled them to win this title for the 3rd time in succession.
“Football is proving more than ever that it can transcend traditional boundaries to become a real driver of development. It enables players at all levels to develop their individual skills, tactical understanding and personal dynamism, all the while strengthening team spirit.
“Football is truly a school for life and I am convinced that everyone, and in particular the young people of today, can benefit from playing football on both a social and personal level. That is why I urge them all in Kano Pillars to continue their work, leading the way on this path of success. Football is helping to build a better future and I wish to thank Kano Pillars for playing a part in this.”
Pillars earned their third straight Nigerian title, with one game to play, after defeating Nembe City 4-0 in Kano last weekend.
Meanwhile, To allow for protests arising from some of the season’s fixtures to be conclusively disposed of, the League Management Company (LMC) has announced the postponement of Match Day 38 games of the 2013/14 Glo Premier League to Sunday, November 16.
The season was heading to an end on Sunday, November 9 but the Chief Operating Officer of LMC, Salihu Abubakar said a decision has been reached to shift the end games by another week.
“Some of the protests will affect the final declaration of position of clubs on the log and we are aware that Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a November 30 deadline for return of entries for representatives of member federations seeking to play in any of the continental club championships”, Abubakar explained.
“The LMC is committed to protecting the integrity of all match results and will therefore await pronouncement of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) relevant committees on the outstanding protests in the coming days. This way there won’t be any spill over games after the final day of matches”, Abubakar further clarified.
He said the LMC regrets any inconveniences arising from this but insisted it was the right decision to have taken in the circumstance.