The Chairman of Nasarawa United Football Club of Lafia, Abdullahi Osanga, on Monday said the club would issue identification cards to its team’s supporters for the upcoming season.
Osanga told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia that the move was aimed at easily identifying supporters when the need arises.
“Discussions have been concluded with the representatives of the supporters on this, while a representative of the club has been given the task of ensuring all supporters were properly identified on match days.’’
He said the decision was taken as a security measure to easily identify supporters who may engage in any violent incident on match days.
The club chairman said this would assist the club in taking necessary disciplinary actions against such erring supporter(s).
He added that the step would also afford the club to properly identify its supporters.
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“It will help us differentiate our supporters from other football lovers who are in the stadium to enjoy the game of football, and I have told them this,’’ Osanga said.
He explained that the club embarked on the identification process in case of a problem in the stadium or a security breach. “We want to know who exactly should be held responsible.
“The card will be issued with a vest and a number on it. We don’t want anyone to feel threatened in the stadium,” the club chairman said.
Osanga also revealed that the club had met with corporate and private establishments in a bid to secure partnership and sponsorship deals.
He said the decision to seek partnership and support from corporate organisations in the state was geared towards reducing the burden of funding on the state government.
“We have started constructive conversation with companies benefitting from our state, with a view to get them on board and support the club. We have started talking to banks and other organisations that are here,” Osanga said.
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He disclosed that the club had already secured partnership with a number of football clubs in Europe and Asia in order to make easy the exchange of players, among other transactions.
“We already have partner clubs in European and Asian countries who have agreed and are ready to work with us so that when we groom our players, we can send them there and government will have money.”
Osanga, however, assured the state government and residents that the upcoming Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season would be a successful one for the club.