Leadership (Abuja)
Salihu Othman Isah
6 March 2009
Kano — The pace at which the rehabilitation of facilities expected to be used for the hosting of the forthcoming Under-17 World Youth Soccer Championship has been described as the Eight Wonder of The World by the leaders of the delegation of the event's Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in Abuja who were in Kano on inspection visit.
Leader of the delegation who is also second Vice Chairman of the LOC of the championship tagged, Nigeria 2009, Chief Mike Umeh commended the Kano state government over the speed with which work is being carried out at both stadia to be used for the competition, the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata and Kano Pillars Stadium if Kano gets the nod.
The delegation according to the ex- team manager of the Super Eagles in an interview with sportswriters shortly after the inspection of facilities at both stadia in Kano on Wednesday, is highly impressed with the pace at which the contractors hand the two projects.
"We were impressed with what we saw, and there is no doubt, Kano will be given a chance to host the championship because we are satisfied with the rehabilitation exercise at the two stadia", he retorted.
He noted that the seriousness at which the Kano state government are undertaking the upgrading exercise of the two proposed venues in order to meet the required FIFA standard is encouraging especially on the turf where synthetic pitch will be laid. The scoreboard, dressing room, the press centre and the floodlights would delight the FIFA delegation he revealed.
Chief Umeh, who is also former chairman of Enugu Rangers International Football Club reaffirmed that the seriousness on ground shows Kano is hungry, prepared with utmost enthusiasm to host the tournament. He said it is commendable pointing out that the important thing for Kano to do is to continue with the pace of work they have embarked upon.
He added that, "we have no doubt that Kano will be selected as one of the venues to host the youth soccer championship. Kano must be in the basket as the state can start celebrating. By the time FIFA comes here again, they will not believe their eyes", he waxed rhetorically.
I would be recalled that when Mr. Jack Warner, FIFA Vice President led a delegation to Nigeria to inspect facilities some weeks ago, he promised that the team will visit Nigeria in a couple of months for final inspection before it gives a final verdict.
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