By George Aluo
President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick has given reasons why the country is bidding to host the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Amaju who spoke in Lagos on Tuesday when FIFA’s team inspected facilities in the city, noted that Nigeria after doing well in FIFA female tournaments over the years, especially at the U-20 level, need to take her performance to the next level.
In his words:”Our country is one of only four countries in the world to have played at every edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup since it began in 2002. We have played in two Final matches and reached the semi final once. I believe it is time to take it to the next level. It is time we win the competition and it would be even more fulfilling to win it on home ground.”
Amaju expressed confidence that the world soccer governing body would give Nigeria the hosting right since the country would do everything possible to meet all the requirements needed to play host.
The FIFA inspection team would during their stay in the country also inspect facilities in Benin, Asaba and Uyo which are the other host cities being put forward by the country.
Meanwhile, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of has assured that the Centre of Excellence will be ready for the tournament.
Sanwo-Olu who spoke when the FIFA inspection team visited his office noted that the strength of the state lay in its diversity and a youth population driven by the will to succeed.
“We want to use sport as an engaging tool, as a corrective narrative to show that the positive energy of the youth can indeed take a society to a high level. I want to assure that we are ready to meet your high standards in the areas of accommodation, security, logistics and crowd management, and also savour that unique experience of hosting a FIFA tournament.
“I want you to see Lagos State as a partner that understands that your next tournament must be better than the last. We will make sure to upgrade facilities wherever this is required,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Describing Pinnick, who is a Member of the CAF Executive Committee and Member of Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions, as “a resourceful, award –winning, never-say-die, self-driven and strong believer in the Nigerian Project,” Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State was excited to be included in the plan to host the first –ever FIFA women’s tournament in Africa, and would do everything to make Nigeria and Africa proud.
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