Ojeikere Aikhoje,
SportsBusiness Writer.
Domestic football sponsorship has reached an all-time high as the Dozy Mmbuosi Foundation in partnership with the Interim Management Company, organisers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), has raised the bar with N1billion for the winner of the 2023 Dozy Mmbuosi Super Cup, in what is now the biggest prize money ever in the history of club football in Nigeria.
sportbusinessbrand.com gathered that both parties signed the contract on Monday, April 24.
Five months ago, the Dozy Mmbuosi Foundation made history with N100million as the biggest prize money in the then Nigeria Professional Football League, now Nigeria Premier Football League.
Determined to boost the financial capacity of clubs, sportbusinessbrand.com learnt that the Dozy Mmbuosi Foundation has expanded the tournament from eight to 12 teams.
A record-breaking ₦1.2 billion prize money has been established for the tournament with the runner-up receiving ₦200 million.
There is also a hundred percent increment in the appearance fee as all 12 teams will receive N20million each
Dozy Mmobuosi explained that the decision to expand the tournament to include 12 top teams from the previous season was made in response to growing demand from fans and stakeholders for more high-level football action.
“The increased funding will allow teams to invest more resources in players, facilities, and infrastructure, attracting top talent to the league, and raising the overall standard of football in Nigeria,” Mmobuosi stated.
Chairman of the IMC, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, has applauded the development.
Elegbeleye sees the tournament as a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talent in the league, promote Nigerian football to a broader audience, and inspire teams and players to contribute to the growth of the sport in the country.
CEO of The Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation, Ebuwa Martins Agbonwaneten, emphasized the foundation’s commitment to using sports as a means for social and economic development.
He said: “The Dozy Mmobuosi Super Cup Football Tournament is an excellent platform to promote the growth and development of Nigerian football.”
IMC’s Head Of operations, Davidson Owumi assured that the organization will ensure judicious use of the prize money.
Format
With four teams invited for the inaugural edition, in 2022, the IMC revealed that the Top Eight teams at the end of the current season will qualify for the 2023 edition.
However, the expansion of the tournament means the IMC will clarify the latest development.
First Edition
The inaugural edition of the Dozy Mmobuosi Super Cup took place in November 2022 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.
Ibadan based Shooting Stars Sports Club emerged as champions and received first prize of ₦100 million.
Aba Elephants, Enyimba, claimed the runner-up position, earning ₦30 million.
Each participating team received an appearance fee of ₦10 million.
About Ojeikere Aikhoje:
Aikhoje is a Nigerian football journalist cum PR practitioner, who works for Lagos based Sports PR and Sponsorship Activation agency: www.matchroom.com.ng.
He writes about strategic communications/marketing, branding and sponsorship.
Twiiter: @ojeksaikhoje