Uptouch Football League: General participation Guidelines

  1. Team Invitations and Registration
  • Invitations will be sent to 8 teams for this maiden edition, but only the first 6 teams to complete registration will be accepted.
  • Registration will be conducted electronically, and acceptance will be determined by the timestamp on submissions.
  1. Match Days and Timing
  • Matches will be held on Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Saturdays: Four teams will play at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
  • Sundays: Two teams will play at 4:00 PM.
  • Match schedules, including team pairings and pitch allocations, will be automatically generated and published.
  1. Registration Fee and Funding
  • The registration fee is set at ₦200,000 per team.
  • This fee is designed to give teams a stake in the winning prize rather than being a profit-driven measure.
  • The competition’s expenses will be funded by proceeds from sponsors and partners.
  1. Team Composition and Requirements
  • Each team must register 22 players, including 2 goalkeepers.
  • All players must have their names displayed on their jerseys.
  • Teams are required to have two jerseys (home and away) in different colours.
  • The age requirement for players is 35 years and above. Verification will be done electronically during registration, and players must provide their NIN (National Identification Number).
  1. Competition Format and Rules
  • Each team will play against all other teams once, totalling 5 matches per team.
  • Matches will be played on a 35-minute half format, considering the fitness levels of participants.
  • Standings will follow standard league practices, with points determining rankings. In cases of ties, goal difference will be used to determine positions.
  1. Pitches and Locations
  • Matches will be played across 3 different pitches to enhance the playing experience.
  • Each matchday’s games (Saturday and Sunday) will be held on the same pitch, determined through an automated system.
  1. Prizes and Awards
  • The first-place team will win ₦700,000 and a trophy.
  • The second-place team will win ₦300,000.
  • Players from the winning team will also receive medals as champions.
  • Additional awards include:
  • Highest Goal Scorer
  • Best Goalkeeper (most clean sheets)
  • Fair Play Award
  1. Support and Officiating
  • Professional match officials will ensure high-standard officiating.
  • A medical team will be on standby at every match for first-aid and emergency needs.
  • Participating teams will receive free refreshments on matchdays, handled by a dedicated team.
  • A media team will document and share highlights of the competition to create lasting memories.
  1. Purpose and Values
  • The primary objectives are to:
  • Promote fitness and wellness among participants.
  • Provide support for widows and orphans through charitable efforts.
  1. Electronic Registration and Communication
  • Team and player registrations will be conducted electronically on the Uptouch Football League platform.
  • Once a team successfully completes registration and passes screening, a confirmation email will be sent with a unique team ID. This ID will be required for players to complete their registration.
  • As soon as 6 teams are confirmed and all registrations and screenings are finalised, the schedule and fixtures will be published on the platform.

Participation Expectations

  • All teams must adhere to league guidelines, rules, and schedules.
  • The league organisers reserve the right to make adjustments as necessary to ensure fairness and the smooth running of the competition.