Nigerian gov’t pledges adequate funding for Under-17 World Cup tourney

Saturday August 08, 2009 - 12:43:25
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Shaafici Muxyidiin
Nigeria’s Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan has pledged adequate funding for the hosting of the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup Finals to be held in eight venues across Nigeria.


Jonathan told journalists after the Official Draw ceremony for the competition tagged "Nigeria 2009’’, Jonathan promised that lack of funds would not hinder the competition.

“We had wanted nine venues for the competition, not even eight, and that is why we presented nine of them, especially as we want more exposure for our states.

“But we can all see how the state governments rose to the occasion and we had all listened to what FIFA, through its Vice President, Mr Jack Warner, has seen about the way the state governments rose to the occasion, especially Bauchi state.

“The states have benefited more from this because they are now better than before in terms of sports facilities and other social infrastructure.

“I do believe funds will be not be a problem and the states and federal governments will all rise to the occasion because they are all equal to the task,’’ he said.

Jonathan expressed Nigeria’s gratitude to FIFA for believing that Nigeria could do what it promised.

“We are grateful to FIFA for believing in us, even with all negative reports which had discouraged us,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Alhaji Sani Ndanusa, promised that the Nigerian government would do everything to ensure a successful hosting of the championship.

“I can say that we are ready, and we will do everything possible to make the event a success to do Nigeria proud. I only need to appeal to the media to give us positive projection in this area,’’ he said.

He said that the Golden Eaglets would be encouraged to retain the trophy Nigeria won for the third time in the competition’s 24-year history in South Korea in 2007.

“Now that the hosting has been confirmed, we will now re-double our efforts in the area of preparing our team.

“We will rejuvenate the team and ensure we do necessary things to succeed,’’ the minister said.

Source:Afrian Press Agency

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