NLO announces MTN as Headline sponsor of NLO maiden cup

The third tier of the Nigerian league, Nationwide League One, NLO, has announced mobile telecommunications giant MTN as the new headline sponsor for the maiden NLO Cup.

The cup, scheduled to kick off from 24th November to 9th December 2023, at the Sanni Abacha Stadium in Kano and the Uyo Township Stadium in Uyo, will see the sixteen best teams embark on their quest to compete in the new edition.

The Chairman of the League, Silas Agara, announced the news to the NLO media on Monday.

“On behalf of the leadership of the NLO, we are delighted to announce MTN as the new headline sponsor of the NLO Cup.

“The NLO Cup tourney was conceived as a medium to celebrate teams that have excelled in the graduation from the State League to NLO U19 and from the Youth League to the NLO Division One.

“The credibility of the NLO over time has led MTN to pitch their tent with the nation’s third-tier domestic league for this project. The project is a result of a partnership discussed over two years, with NLO and MTN coming to this stage.

“MTN, as a responsible corporate organization, wants to support Nigerian youths through grassroots football development, identifying football as the major source of joy for over 60 per cent of the youths.

“The telecommunications brand has recognized the Nationwide League One (NLO) as the most critical source and reliable partner to achieve that aim.

“MTN will be using the NLO to promote their MoMo Money as a safe platform for Nigerian youths to save, do business with their money, and more.

“They will also be offering numerous freebies and gift items to youths attending the NLO Cup matches. The telecommunications brand aims to rejuvenate the way Nigerian youths participate in football,” he said.

The maiden NLO Cup will be played in Kano and Uyo for the group matches, with the finals taking place in Abuja.