The chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr. Tonobok Okowa, has taken a bold step in ensuring the safety of match officials in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) following an attack on match officials after the Warri Wolves home draw against Kano Pillars on Sunday. According to a statement signed by the Commission’s secretary, Henry Ukah, the chairman has offered a reward of N200,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect responsible for the attack. The incident occurred at the Warri City Stadium, Warri, Delta State, leaving the match officials shaken and the football community in shock. The NPFL has been plagued by incidents of violence and thuggery, with several matches either postponed or abandoned due to crowd disturbances. This attack on match officials is a clear indication that more needs to be done to protect them. The Delta State Government’s decision to offer a reward for information is commendable and is a step in the right direction towards ensuring the safety of all involved in the league. It is hoped that this move will encourage anyone with information about the attack to come forward and help bring the perpetrator to justice. This incident serves as a stark reminder that violence has no place in sports and that the safety of match officials must be a top priority.
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