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Sports News of Monday, 16 March 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

NPFL matches delayed nationwide to test medical facilities

Amaju Pinnick - NFF President Amaju Pinnick - NFF President

The Nigeria Professional Football League - NPFL was deliberately delayed nationwide until match commissioners ascertained that the medical facilities at the stadiums were functional.

Football body, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) gave the directive which the match commissioners complied with following the sudden death of Nasarawa United defender, Chineme Martins.

Recall that MyNigeria.com reported that the player slumped during their NPFL match against Katsina United at the Lafia Township Stadium on March 8.

Martins who was unconscious died due to inadequate medical attention in the stadium.

According to reports, the engine of the ambulance that was to take him to the hospital failed.

Sadly, Martins was confirmed dead after he was finally rushed to the hospital in one of the vehicles on the convoy of the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who was in the stadium to watch the match.

His death forced the NFF to issue a statement, demanding that match commissioners inspect medical facilities at match venues before allowing NPFL matches to commence.

“As an immediate first step, the NFF has directed that no further match be played except there is a full complement of the medical equipment and personnel as provided in the NFF Club Licensing Regulations.

“All match commissioners and the host FA are to ensure they inspect all the facilities including carrying out test runs before giving go-ahead for any match to be played,” part of the NFF statement said.

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