Date: 2016-11-14

The management of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, has said it will retain 15 out of 33 registered players of club ahead of preparations for 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

The Welfare Officer of the team, Ahmed Abdallah, disclosed this to the newsmen in Ilorin on Saturday.

He said the decision to retain 15 players and release the rest was taken after a meeting with the players, technical crew and management on Friday evening. ? Abdallah explained that the club is in advanced discussion with some former players who are plying their trade with other NPFL teams to rejoin them.

The Welfare Officer added that the players have been released for two weeks to see their families and return for the new season on 25th of November.

He however, maintained that if the resumption of the new season is Dec. 11, as been speculated the players may resume earlier than the Nov. 25.

Abdallah added that the coach of the team, Henry Makinwa, has told the players that he will not stop anyone from leaving the club but such player must inform him on time so it will not affect his plans.

He thanked the players for their doggedness and unrelenting effort in returning the team to where it belong. Abdallah thanked the technical crew and the backroom staff for giving their best to the team which earn it the elevation to the NPFL.

The ABS Welfare Officer was full of praises to the Proprietor of the club, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, as well as the chairman Mr Seni Saraki for giving Nigerian youths opportunities to achieve their dream of playing football through the club's platform.?

It would be recalled that over 20 ex players of ABS FC are presently playing in other NPFL clubsides across the country.?