The Lagos State Government has expressed its readiness to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) which Nigeria is bidding to organize alongside the Republic of Benin.
Lagos State deputy governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, on Thursday, assured the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of her preparedness to provide good sporting facilities.
Hamzat also said that Lagos has the enabling environment to boost the interest of Nigeria in co-hosting the 2027 AFCON with the Benin Republic.
He gave the assurance while receiving, on behalf of the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, CAF Inspection Team on a courtesy visit to the Round House, Alausa, Ikeja.
Hamzat noted that the state has all it takes as one of the centres to successfully host a great sporting event like the African Cup of Nations.
“Lagos has the people, the facilities, and the commitment of the government,” the deputy governor said.
He added that Lagos had in the past hosted the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cup football competitions, which gave the state an insight into the protocols of hosting.
Hamzat further assured the CAF delegation of good hospitality in the state from both the public and private sectors.
He noted that Lagos state is aiming beyond the 2027 AFCON, as it also plans to build the interest of the young generations in football.
According to him, Lagos is not only renovating the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere to ensure that it is elevated beyond its present standard for the competition and beyond.
It is also building new ones in different communities within the state to accommodate and encourage youths, both male and female, in terms of playing football and other sports.
“We are going to build more stadiums across the State, in places like Agege, Ifako-Ijaye, Ikorodu and Epe, among others to encourage more participation in community football by the youths,” Hamzat stated.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the Nigerian delegation for the 2027 AFCON bid, Mallam Mainasara Illo said the Inspection Team was in Lagos to inspect football facilities that have been proposed by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for the hosting of the tournament.
Mallam Illo disclosed that six states in Nigeria and two cities in Benin Republic have been proposed to host the competition.
He added that the delegation hopes that the venues selected in Nigeria will pass the test.
Illo said that it will be inexcusable if Lagos, being Africa’s largest economy, the nation’s most populous state and one in which football is most passionately followed, does not pass the inspection test.
He, therefore, urged the state government to hasten work at the Teslim Balogun Stadium after CAF inspection team visited it and observed that construction is ongoing and other training centres that will be used for the competition.
Illo also asked that the State Government ensure the provision of good hospitals and hotels for Very Important Personalities (VIPs), among others.
-Guardian
