By Emeka Dennar
Port Harcourt- Rivers United captain Stephen Manyo says he is not ‘optimistic’ Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs would be able to pay a minimum salary of N2million per month to players, as was announced by the National Sports Commission (NSC), adding that the plan is ‘not realistic’ for now.
In a landmark move in June, the NSC declared that next season’s champions of the NPFL will receive a record N1bn, up from the current N200m, adding that each club in Nigeria’s topflight will pay their players, at least, N2m a month, as part of sweeping reforms in the domestic game.
The commission believes the move will reduce the departure of talented players in search of greener pastures abroad while enhancing the league’s appeal to top-quality footballers.
However, Manyo believes such high wages are clearly beyond the budget of the majority of the NPFL clubs, who generate little revenue outside government funding.
“Talking about the N2m a month salary for players, I can’t really say for now because if you come to Rivers United for instance, the money generated from gate fees is nothing to write home about,”the former Enyimba defender noted.
“If you check our stadiums, most of the time,they are empty. So, it will be difficult for the clubs to generate money and pay players N2m every month. I’m not optimistic that will happen because we don’t have the TV rights, most clubs don’t have sponsors. They are owned by the government, and it is what the government gives that you’ll work with,” he further added.
The clubs cannot work above their budget.
“So, that N2m salary a month is not realistic for now, until the sponsors begin to come into the league and clubs. It is just a mere statement for now. I don’t think it will be effective yet,” he concluded.
