Leadership (Abuja)
1 October 2008
The Bauchi State Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, has reiterated the determination of his administration to host the next year's U-17 FIFA World Cup scheduled for Nigeria. Governor Yuguda gave the assurance during his meeting with members of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC).
He said that Bauchi state is ready to provide all the necessary facilities that will enable her to host the world cup considering that the state had hosted many International events including the U-20 world cup in 1999.
He assured that Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stadium will be upgraded to FIFA standard. He said that hosting a major event like the U-17 will not be only beneficial to the people of the state but the North East and the country in general.
He pointed out that Bauchi state is a sports city that will not take anything for granted in trying to host the U-17 World Cup. He disclosed that the state had already engaged the services of an Architect as a special consultant for the state government in ensuring that the Tafawa Balewa stadium is upgraded to FIFA standard.
"If FIFA officials will be coming by December this year, definitely they will see a lot of improvement because we want to surprise them, hence our decision to engage the services of consultants to assist us in providing the astro turf, two training pitches, score board, media center etc" he said.
Governor Yuguda requested members of the Local Organizing Committee to support the state in ensuring that the state host the championship especially with all the necessary ideas to actualize the dream of the state.
Responding, the Chief Executive Officer of the LOC, Alhaji Mainasara Illo, said that members of the committee were delighted with the commitment of the Bauchi state governor towards hosting the 2009 U-17 world cup.
He urged the governor to do everything possible to ensure that facilities at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stadium are provided to the satisfaction of FIFA officials during their second inspection visit scheduled for this year.
He explained that because of the zeal and commitment of the state governor towards providing the necessary facilities, the LOC is considering upgrading one of the training pitches in the state.
Among the entourage of the LOC that met the governor were the CEO, Mainasara Illo, General Manager Media, Emeka Odikpo, General Manager Marketing, Emeka Inyama, Arch. Abubakar Haruna Bako and Mike Adamu.
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