The Abia State government has made a groundbreaking move by introducing the Abia State Football Supalig, Nigeria’s first-ever state-wide football league. This visionary initiative, spearheaded by Governor Alex Otti, aims to combat youth unemployment by actively involving young individuals in the sports value chain.
In an official ceremony held in Umuahia, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, unveiled the Abia Supalig on behalf of the government.
He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to meaningfully engage the youth and provide them with opportunities to showcase their sporting and entertainment talents, thereby enabling them to lead prosperous lives.
One of the key challenges addressed by the Abia Supalig is the underutilization of the state’s sports assets, particularly the Umuahia and Aba stadiums, which are only utilized for a mere 19 days out of the entire year.
Ananaba highlighted the substantial negative return on investments for these multi-billion naira facilities, which should ideally generate revenue for the government while simultaneously offering a platform for the youth to excel in sports and entertainment.
Recognizing the need for a transformative solution, the state decided to support the launch of the Abia Supalig. Matches will be held at the Enyimba and Abia Warriors Stadia in Aba and Umuahia, respectively. To ensure the league’s success, a League Management Committee (LMC) comprising eight members will be established.
Ananaba will serve as the Chairman, and the committee will include representatives from Fifty1 Alliance Limited, club owners, and seasoned sports and football administrators.
The Abia Supalig will consist of a single division known as the Supalig, with no promotion or relegation system in place. This unique approach aims to enhance the value of the clubs as valuable assets to their owners, presenting potential opportunities for resale.
The league will feature nine teams, with three teams representing each of the senatorial zones in Abia State. A total of 72 matches will be played each season.
To incentivize participation and reward performance, the Supalig will offer substantial prize money ranging from N20 million to N25 million, distributed based on the clubs’ final standings. Additional revenue streams may lead to an increase in the prize fund’s value.
The ownership of teams will be determined through a transparent bidding process overseen by Fifty1 Alliance and the Abia State Ministry of Youth and Sports. The LMC will soon unveil the timeline and procedures for the events leading up to the inaugural Supalig match.
Dike Dimiri, the Managing Director of Fifty1 Alliance, expressed the league’s goal of creating enhanced value by expanding football opportunities in the National Leagues and generating more prospects for sports-related businesses.
The Supalig aspires to foster balanced development within the state, with the potential to increase the state’s GDP by at least 5% in the short term if executed effectively.
Among the numerous benefits of the Abia Supalig, Dimiri highlighted the training of youths in sports business and media production, investment in and maintenance of the state’s sports assets, utilization of planned infrastructure such as the airport and new stadium, and the prevention of talent drain from the state through the creation of high-value employment opportunities.
With the birth of the Abia Supalig, Abia State is poised to become a sporting powerhouse, revolutionizing the landscape of football in Nigeria and paving the way for comprehensive socio-economic growth.
