League Champion to Carte Away N40m

N40m at stake for Champions of the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. The winners  stand to win N40m from the Merit Award of the League Management Company (LMC). 

As at date, Rangers International of Enugu and Rivers United of Port Harcourt are the two clubs in contention for the big prize money. LMC has set out a total of N200m pool as reward for final position on the league table at the end of the season on Sunday. 

As at last season, the highest payout from the Merit Award which went to Enyimba International was N30m from a total pool of N150m, but this year’s figure of N200m represents an increase of 25%. 

The Merit Award pool has been witnessing an annual progression from N50m in 2012/13 to N75m in 2013/14 season and now N200m. 

The top three Clubs on the table, when the season finally rounds up, usually receive the large portion, of the Merit Award which supports the clubs financially in their preparation for the CAF Club competitions the coming season. 

According to figures released by the LMC, the champions will have to receive a minimum of N90m in all direct payments for the 2016 season, including the Basic Award, which comprises of pool of funds shared equally amongst all the 20 participating clubs, the Merit award paid to clubs based on their final position on the table. 

The Football development and the Bonus award which is paid to clubs based on performances including incentives for improving match attendance, away wins/draw, fielding players under the age of 18 and hosting live broadcast matches. 

The lowest placed team in the NPFL this season will receive up to N55m in direct payments from the LMC from all payment centres. 

A statement from the LMC explained that “in addition to the direct payments clubs do also benefit from other indirect payments such as free registration of players and officials, free insurance, payment of match officials’ indemnities and hotel accommodation as well as sponsored seminars and other engagements funded by the LMC”. 

Rangers are three points ahead of Rivers United with the Flying Antelopes hosting El-Kanemi Warriors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium now called The Cathedral by Enugu fans, needing a point to guarantee the title while Rivers United go for three points in Uyo against Akwa United. The Port Harcourt side will like to win, while hoping that Rangers will falter against their visitors. 

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