The First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Seyi Akinwunmi and other stakeholders in football have commended the partnership between League management Company and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Akinwunmi While fielding questions from newsmen after the match between MFM FC and Plateau United which saw the Olukoya Boys defeat the visitors on Sunday in week 14 Nigeria Professional Football League stated that it is a welcome development to see such a body work with the football industry.
The FIRS tax education campaign message was displayed on match day perimeter boards across the match venues nationwide with the game mentioned earlier televised.
‘People always forget that we said all these things when we started the LMC,we said it will take time but ultimately once you build a good product,you don’t need to go begging anybody, they will come,’ Akinwunmi said.
‘We are glad that FIRS is coming, and this is not the first time they are doing something in football. Tunde Fowler as the Chairman of LIRS was into football. This is not something that is surprising to us. These are people who see value in football and they love the game.
Responding on why other corporate bodies and public agencies need to embrace this medium to promote their brands, he said urged that they must as a matter of urgency take advantage of the growth witnessed in the league.
‘If they wait too long before getting on the train, it might be difficult at the time.
Veteran sports journalist, Mr Kayode Tijani also aired his views on the matter mentioning that it is a better advantage for the government attempting to reach a wider audience.
‘You will not get the kind of mileage the League offers elsewhere,- Kayode noted.
‘Imagine the ball rolls to touch, and then the camera takes a long or close-up shot to the message and it is there.’
‘As long as this message goes on through this medium, it begins to enter the subconsciousness of the audience with a massive effect. Look at the league in England, any message being relayed during football matches goes a long way.
‘This is marvelous, absolutely fantastic and they (FIRS) are gaining immensely from this.
Kayode further commended the League management Company on the height it has achieved over the years but also stated that the desired destination cannot be achieved by LMC alone, and would required the government intervention.
‘For the LMC to get the league to where it is now is amazing but where we are going is so far. When I was in England, I can go to Liverpool to watch a match and move to another venue to catch up with another game. How is that possible, we are talking about the transportation system. Over there, you find train, tram and other efficient transport system which you cannot see in our country.’
‘By the time the system works better, the league will further grow to a level where everybody wants to be involved.’
However, the tax education campaign is expected to run for the remainder of the 2016/17 NPFL season at the end of which the two organisations will explore possibilities of consummating a long term mutually beneficial relationship.
