The Nigeria Premier Football League board has announced that any club that fails to participate in the youth league will be sanctioned.
The NPFL Chairman, Honorable Gbenga Elegbeleye, gave the warning after a meeting with the organisers of the youth league in Abuja.
Elegbeleye pointed out that the youth league is the future of Nigerian football.
“Participation in this first edition of the Youth League is compulsory for all 20 NPFL Clubs and there will be serious sanctions for any club that for whatever reason failed to present their Youth team for the competition,” he told the NPFL media.
“The Youth League is the future of every senior league as it ensures that younger players are groomed to replace those who would be retired on account of age and injuries or who find employment outside the country.
“The progression of players from the youth league also spares clubs the cost of having to buy players from other clubs while maintaining the club’s culture and values.”
The competition is billed to kick-start from February 1-3 across different centres.