The new champions of this year’s Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) will take home N40 million (almost $100,000) prize money, according to the League Management Company (LMC).
Rangers International of Enugu and Rivers United of Port Harcourt are the two clubs in contention for the big prize money from a total of N200m pool set aside by the LMC as reward for final position on the league table at the end of the season on Sunday.
But Enugu Rangers look poised to win this year’s competition as they are three points clear of closest rivals Rivers United and only need to a point when they play at home to El Kanemi on Sunday to win a first major trophy in 32 years.
A total of N 200 million will be shared by the 19 clubs in the Nigerian Professional Football League after Giwa FC were expelled for breaching competition rules and regulations.
Lsst season, Nigeria league winner Enyimba pocked N30 million as prize money, while what the clubs earn has also increased with every season.
In the 2012/13 season, the total prize money was N50 million, while the following season it rose to N75 million.
According to figures released by the LMC, the champions would have received a minimum of N90 million in all direct payments for this season including the Basic Award, which comprises the pool of funds shared equally among all the clubs; the Merit Award paid to clubs on their final position on the table, the football development and the Bonus award, which is based on performances including incentives for improving attendances, away wins/draws, fielding players under the age of 18 and hosting live matches.
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”.
The lowest placed team this season will also get up to N55 million from all payments.
Anthony Nlebem
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