13 January 2009
Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday described Enugu as a good venue to host FIFA's U-17 World Cup to be hosted by Nigeria later this year.
Jonathan told newsmen at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium during a tour of the stadium facilities that his wish was for Enugu to be among the six hosting cities.
"Enugu is a reputable city and one of the important cities with rich cultural and historical significance.
"Enugu has in the past hosted a bigger FIFA championship. We do not envisage a problem with the city as it only needs minor rehabilitation of a few facilities.
"The city does not have prob-lems with fans and it is one of the primary considerations for in-cluding it among the nine to vie for hosting of matches," he said.
The vice president said that Nigeria made provisions for nine cities with six sub-seats but that FIFA wanted only six stadia.
Jonathan said it was his wish that all the nine cities would be used, adding that if FIFA decided otherwise, it would not be a problem.
He explained that his inspection visit was not to endorse cities but to go round and see what level of assistance the Federal Govern-ment could offer selected cities.
Jonathan, who did not visit hotels in the city, praised the standards of the hotels, saying they had met world-class standards.
The vice-president, accompanied by the Sports Minister and Chairman of the NSC, Sani Ndanusa, later toured the stadium, dressing rooms, generator room and the main bowl.
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