Women’s Under 20 World Cup:  FIFA Scores Edo High On Preparations

FIFA, yesterday scored Edo State high in its preparations towards hosting the Under 20 World Cup tournament in the state capital, Benin City in 2019.

FIFA Consultant, Mainasarawa Illo accompanied by Amaju Pinnick of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on
tour of facilities stated that the Ogbe Stadium in Benin City is one of the venues proposed for use by FIFA, would be inspected again in a couple of weeks.

Mainasarawa Illo said there was need to know before time, ” Exactly what’s on ground, see the progress of work, so as to know if adequate preparations have been made to accommodate all the required facilities at and look at other necessary facilities like the referral hospitals, hotels, and the airport aside other things that are necessary to host a successful event. ”

After the inspection, he affirmed that facilities on ground were “Absolutely breathtaking. It is scenic, picturesque,
functional, strong and very promising.”

He was of the opinion that when the facilities at the Ogbemudia Stadium are finally completed, it would be one of the most functional areas that we have in this country. He hoped that the,

“Culture of maintenance would come up and for a long time, the facility would be a national monument and a theatre for all our athletes in the track and field, and football.”

Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Rt. Hon. Francis Okiye said it was a boost for Edo State to have FIFA use its facility as one of the venues for the under 20 female football tournament.

According to Okiye, Edo was ready to host the games, this was why he was at designated venues with contractors, commissioners, and members of the Edo State Sports Commission to ensure the state meets up with the finishing line.

Speaking after the inspection of the training pitch at Western Boys High School, Engineer Femi James of Ultimate Peculiar Concerns said the Ogbemudia Stadium was 95% completed, keeping to FIFA standards, in construction of the football pitch and amenities around the field.

He said they had done the second testing of the pitch, one more to go at the end of July, hence they were looking at the first week of October for final conclusion on the stadium.

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For the four training pitches, he said they will be ready for use in December.