22 October 2009
column
By the time the first ball is kicked between defending Champions Nigeria and Germany, Nigeria would have shot into FIFA's books as the first country to host a 'shambolic' FIFA U-17 World Cup. The country that before now commands so much respect from the world soccer-governing body to have won the inaugural FIFA/JVC U-16 World Cup in Beijing, China, in 1985 would dent that record after hosting the tourney.
Since arriving the country to put things ahead of the big kick off, FIFA officials have been 'amazed' that nothing in terms of logistics were in place for the World Cup.
Complaints have been the order of the day that one FIFA official was so mad that he threatened to slap a driver that abandoned them to look for food to eat. One other driver scared the officials stiff when he collided with a truck on their way from the Murtala Muhammed Airport. "On a second thought, you don't blame the drivers.
They are humans and are bound to break down. No food for them, no uniform, no replacements", the official complained. But his complaints were nothing compared with the meltdown in other centres.
Sports Vanguard gathered that the problem emanated from chieftains of Local Organising Committee, LOC. "So much money was released but expectedly, the funds developed wings thereby starving the various sub-seats. Lagos, however, is exceptional because of Governor Babatunde Fashola who personally deployed men and material to ensure that Lagos does not go the way of other centres.
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let us ignore the wrong things and embrace the correct ones. whosoever posted this, we Nigerians have forgiven u long time ago. to all football fans, enjoy the FIFA under 17 world cup like never before, NIGERIA '09.
Mr Man. Do you think its impossible for this to happen. I'm not suprised that such things happened. Nigerians should learrn to be organized. At least they should hire proven event managers to manage the centres including security issues.
really wonderful record