Leader of FIFA delegation, Jack Warner

Nigeria 2009: Warri not among host cities

By Tunde Eludini

August 7, 2009 03:07AM

FIFA on Thursday dropped Warri from the list of cities to host the matches of the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

After the final venue inspection tour by the FIFA delegation, the eight cities selected as match centres were Abuja, Bauchi, Calabar, Enugu, Ijebu-Ode, Kaduna, Kano and Lagos.

Explaining why Warri center was dropped, the leader of the FIFA delegation, Jack Warner, pointed out that the facilities provided at the center were below the expected standard.

“Despite special efforts by FIFA to provide additional time, advice and opportunities to raise the quality of the facilities to a level that would meet the requirements of hosting matches of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the delivery had fallen far below the necessary level.

“FIFA cannot approve a venue in which one of the most critical elements, the main pitch in the stadium, is in an extremely poor state at the time of the final inspection.” he said.

Warner however commended the other centres for putting in their best to make hosting the competition a reality.

“I was pleased to see that the venues have made significant progress since my last visit in May. They now meet the basic stadium infrastructure requirements of FIFA and thus can be confirmed for the competition,” he said.

“What impressed me even more than the infrastructural improvements was the passion and the commitment the people of Nigeria have shown. I congratulate the Federal Government and the State authorities, the Local Organising Committee as well as the communities in the cities for what they have achieved. The legacy which was created will last far beyond the upcoming tournament. I am therefore proud to say that Nigeria is ready to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup.”

The draws for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009 will Friday take place at the International Conference Centre Abuja. While the tourney runs through October 24 to November15.

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Reader Comments (9)

Posted by agbo on Aug 07 2009

What a relief if you ask me.

Posted by Peniel Momoh on Aug 07 2009

Well done, Next Magazine! But you could choose a better image for this article. The present one is skewed and does not give the page a good look. I think it has to do with the size.

Posted by FOREMAN-BROWN IDOGHO on Aug 07 2009

So all Governor Uduaghan effort and Amaju has gone? its painful anyway.... FIFA should have consider the our geographical anticedant, by implication no south south state is hosting the world cup tournament. Remember MEND can be angry o......

Posted by Ogorwin on Aug 07 2009

Na wa for dis hosting mata so gov uduaghan didn't know dat a one man committee doesn't work. In d midst of plenty we could not put up a team to make us host? what do we say now ''warri don de carry last?'' I feel for the hoteliers, craftsmen, food vendors, breweries and most especially waafarians and deltans. Gov uduaghan should ask questions y we lost d right to host. Even d pitch they imported could not meet with standard. I shame and cry for this was an opportunity for us to show d world dat we are not what they think of us. Na wa o anyway ''warri no de carry last'' abi amaju pinnick?

Posted by Akpo Ogiribo on Aug 07 2009

THIS IS GOD IN ACTION. AFTER DISPLACING ME FROM WHERE I GET MY DAILY BREAD, TO BEAUTIFY WARRI FOR WORLD CUP, I PRAYED TO GOD THAT THE GOV SHOULD BE DISGRACED TOO AND IT HAPPENED.

Posted by Samuel on Aug 07 2009

It is quite disappointing that Warri after preparation did not meet the standard for hosting the u-17 World Cup. From my own point of view, Warri meet avery standard FIFA wanted, but due to the crisis in the Niger Delta region, that is what rob them off the hosting right. Warri stadium is one of the best in the country, in terms of facilities, even pitch. But is like there were politics play by the FIFA team to rob them of the right. Why is it that rhree(3) states from the North that bided for the event was chosen without any problem? Warner should search his mind properly.

Posted by Chixzy on Aug 07 2009

Don't mind Pinnick. When his mates where busy putting structures in place he was busy shooting off with his wide mouth. Now alarm don blow, fowl yansh don open

Posted by Ohe-bekor Inyila on Aug 07 2009

Well, Warri could not make it this time. But I would be more delighted if it had worked out so. Please lets bear with the Governor, at least, one of the South-South states is given the hosting right; that is Calabar where some of the cultural heritages would be displayed richly. Several places of interest abound there in Cross River State such as; Tinapa, Marina Resort, Zoo, Agbokim Falls, Boki Wild Life, the world famous tourism destination-Obudu Ranch and the Gabu (Yala L.G.A) Salt Lake enriched with diverse solid and liquid mineral resources.

Posted by whyte on Aug 08 2009

I wasn't happy when i heard warri was droped! '