The Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) is making the necessary preparations to commence its 2023/2024 students’ league on Wednesday, November 22.
The league is expected to run through November till next year (sports’ day of the students’ week) – and will feature teams from National Diploma One (ND 1), ND 2, HND 1 and HND 2.
The Post Graduate (PGD) students and part-timers are not left out of the much anticipated competition.
Speaking on what the fans/audience should be expecting for this session, HND 2 student and Sports Director of the monotechnic, Richard Avonda disclosed that new ideas have been embraced to make this season memorable.
“Basically, this year, we are rebranding the NIJ league. Experienced officials have been carefully selected for the tournament and the prizes for winners will be three times more than what was received last year,” Avonda told ThelensNG.
Avonda revealed that the PGD students’ involvement is a return after missing out in the last six (6) years – and reiterated that winners will be rewarded.
“This year, PGD full-time team makes a return to the league in over 6years of absence and the prizes will be worth One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (150,000) for male and One Hundred Thousand Naira (100,000) for female.”
Commenting on the rules in place ahead of the tournament, Avonda said every team/class must have their own jersey among other things.
His words: “No class will be allowed to play without a jersey. Every class must provide a ball and a medical team apron imprinted at the back (medicals) and no class or player will be allowed to play barefooted.”
The opening ceremony will start by 2pm on Wednesday – and two games will be played afterwards; HND 2 versus ND 1 (female) will lock horns for the opening game by 3pm; and a clash between new intakes; HND 1 and ND 1 (male) will follow by 3:40pm.
Meanwhile, all games have been scheduled to be played on the school field in Ogba, Lagos.
The part-timers pipped HND 1, now the final year students to become champions the last time out in a 3-2 scoreline.
2023/2024 NIJ Students’ League rules in full as stated by Sports Director, Richard Avonda;
– No class will be allowed to play without a jersey.
– Every class must provide a ball and a medical team apron imprinted at the back (medicals).
– No class or player will be allowed to play barefooted.
– Only ten (10) minutes grace is allowed for team late arrival, afterwards it becomes a walkover for the opposing team on the field (except for peculiar challenges, but must be earlier stated to the sports directors).
– A yellow card attracts N300 (three hundred naira) fine, while red attracts N700 (seven hundred naira) fine, which must be paid on or before a team’s next match.
– Only the medical team of every class is allowed to go check on players on the field while play is on. A yellow card will be issued to a fan of disobeying team which must be paid for.
– No other player from any class or outsider is allowed to play for another class.
– The tournament will be played in a home and away format after which the first four teams on the table qualify for semi-finals, and a draw will be made to decide oppositions.
– Only the team coach is allowed to move on the sidelines.
– Removing of shirts during play attracts a yellow card.
