By Akeem Busari 

 

The Nigerian football community is excited over the announcement of a four-year sponsorship deal worth N964 million between the Nationwide League One and New Year Mega Lottery. 

 

The deal will make New Year Mega Lottery, the official title sponsor of the NLO, which is regarded as the most important football league in the country. 

 

With the buzz and excitement whizzing around the football community, Nigeria's leading Whatsapp sports platform, the Nigeria Sports Centre, engaged the Chief Operating Officer of NLO, Sola Ogunowo, in an exclusive interview, with the unassuming and hardworking football administrator, expressing his delight on the new deal with New Year Mega Lottery. 

On the changes the new deal would bring to the league, Ogunowo said, "the sponsorship will surely bring a new hope of football development in Nigeria Football in general. The clubs will feel a direct impact of the sponsorship due to the VIK they are giving the clubs and other opportunities, that may involve the club officials in doing business."

 

He acknowledged that the league body had been involved in a similar, but unsuccessful mouth-watering deal in recent past. And he was quick to reassure the clubs and stakeholders, that the new deal is different and sustainable. 

 

" The similar stuff we had in the past was a sad one for the company, because they are a start up company in Nigeria and they ran into a serious financial hitch, which NLO recognised and walked away.  We could have sued them, but we didn't do that, so that it won't scare away other potential sponsors or partners," he explained. 

 

Speaking further on the benefits accruable teams participating in the NLO, the highly-regarded football administrator pointed that the clubs will benefits from kits as part of VIK. 

 

"Much more, the clubs will enjoy the invaluable supports of our technical partners. The Sofascore is the bomb, they are a tracking company that will help to expose the league to the world. They have over 25 million followers worldwide and 1.2m in Nigeria. This will sure open up the league to marketing worldwide deals on visibility and here is the answer. The clubs will have the same visibility as top clubs in the world via the app of Sofascore."

 

Still speaking on the benefits, he added,  "NAEMO Sports, is a tech company that will help clubs with statistical analysis of their matches and data as well. Coaches will benefit a lot because of their analysis. Clubs will be able to expose their players to the outside world, since top clubs in the world deals in data of players."

"Sports Meet Tech, are another of our technical partners.  They will build a website for all the clubs in the league for free, and help them to open social media handles, which will be commercialised in order for them to make money. And  fficials of these clubs will also be trained to man the social media handles," Ogunowo disclosed.

 

Ogunowo noted the prevalent economic challenges in the country, as much as it affects the marketing potentials in the sports industry. He however, expresses his happiness on the successful deal, which he attributed to integrity and sincerity of purpose. 

 

" There are a lot of conditions that are attached to sponsorship and partnership, despite being a long journey, the major factor is integrity and sincerity of purpose. Once they see this in your presentation trust me, companies that are responsible will listen to you and do your bidding.

"1m very happy we are able to pull this through in NLO.  But let me tell you as well, that it's a joint effort because I carefully chose people working with me. And  thank God we are not disappointing Nigerians," he added.