Adedokun Waliyu 
Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, has ruled out any possible return of sporting activities in the country, especially football.
Mustapha made this known during a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
The League Management Company chairman Shehu Dikko had revealed formats considered to conclude the league season which was suspended on March 15 due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
The sports ministry also postponed the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival as well, due to the pandemic.
“I’m not sure we are excited about opening sporting activities in our country, particularly soccer (football), which attracts large crowds,” Mustapha said during a briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
“If our guidelines say large gatherings are banned and not to exceed 20 persons except places of work, I don’t see the excitement if we allow soccer to return to an empty stadium.”
He also took a subtle jibe at the NPFL, stating that the leagues in Europe were big businesses, compared to the Nigeria Professional Football League.
“A lot of European countries where these games have started are big businesses and they are doing it carefully and gradually.
“We are not excited about allowing sports to return, we will get there, but for now, we are concerned with the few activities allowed to reopen.
“We will continue to review the situation, know how we are faring, study the situation and know what next to do based on data, science and peculiarity of our environment.”
