By: Barnabas Udofia
Zik Hall Football Association is set to host the ‘maiden’ edition of the ‘Zik Hall League.’ This competition is a 5-aside football tournament that will be played at Zik Hall Maracana and is open to Zikites and non-Zikites within the University of Ibadan campus.
Background
The idea to create a football league competition was conceived about 5 years ago. However, due to the long Covid-19 break of 2020, ASUU strikes, as well as lack of funding, the Zik Hall League hasn’t seen the light of the day.
The first edition of the league started in 2019 but did not end, following the outbreak of covid-19. In 2022, plans to kick-off the league were thwarted by an unprecedented 8-month ASUU strike.
In 2024 – with a total of ten participants – the Zik Hall football league is set to return. The competition which is organized by the Zik Hall Football Association Chairman is set to commence on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
What’s the format?
The competition will take a round robin format where each team will compete home and away against one another. Each team comprising of 12 players, a club owner and a manager will play against 9 other teams home and away bringing the total number of games to 18. Each game will be played for 30 minutes, including two equal halves and a 5 minute break in between.
A total number of 90 games will be played from July 20th – December 22nd. There’ll be a break after the first 9 matches, just before first semester exams. During this break, the transfer window will be opened for clubs to buy and sell players.
The second half of the league will commence as soon as second semester starts, with the closing ceremony scheduled to happen on Sunday, December 22, 2024.
What teams are participating?
The league competition will feature ten teams who will play one another twice in a round robin format. Participating teams and their club owners include;
• The Invincibles – NADAL
• Paulo Santini FC – PAULO
• Young Boys FC – FADACA
• Emergence FC – SEMIAJ
• Los Pistoleros – SBJ
• Bluelock FC – BIOBENG
• Blaze FC – DAMILARE
• Vanguard FC – TOBI
• Los Galacticos – HOST and SANJAY
• Phantom 12 – SOVITE and SALTUNS
Eligibility
To participate in the competition, each club owner has paid a sum of ten thousand naira to the organizers. Other important things to note regarding eligibility include;
• The competition is open to both regular and distant learning center students of the University.
• At least 6 Zikites must be on every team at all times.
• Two graduates of the University of Ibadan are allowed to be on each team.
• At least two Zikites must be on every team during every match days.
• The player cap for every team is 12 players.
Transfer Policy
• The transfer window shall be open before the commencement and at the mid-point of every season.
• Transfer related dealings will strictly be between clubs, however, the FA is entitled to 10% of any fee realized from a player sale.
• There’s a cap of 4 players for incomings and outgoings during the season. This is to say that no club is allowed to transfer more than 4 players in or out of their team.
• Transfers shall involve cash transfers with a disclosed transfer fee at all times.
• Every form of transfer shall be made public and sanctioned by the FA
Award and Prizing System
• Winner takes all the monetary benefits
• Only winners will be awarded medals
• A total of 16 medals will be awarded to winners to cater for an addition of 4 players who might be added during the course of the season.
