The Nnamdi Azikiwe and University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), stadiums, in Nigeria’s South East Enugu state, have been shut down for refurbishment, ahead of the Under-17 World Cup, tagged Nigeria 2009.
The Nnamdi Azikiwe and University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), stadiums, in Nigeria’s South East Enugu state, have been shut down for refurbishment, ahead of the Under-17 World Cup, tagged Nigeria 2009.
Oladeinde Taiwo, Stadium Manager at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, said in an interview that the stadium was shut down to enable repair works on the facility to begin. According to Taiwo, the contractors said they would mobilise to site by Thursday. It was, however, observed that preliminary pegging of the Stadium’s main pitch has since begun.
Taiwo said members of the public would be kept off the facility so as to avoid injuries as well as distractions to the contractors. The UNEC Stadium and Rangers training pitches that would serve as training facilities have also been shut down for repairs.
Meanwhile, many state athletes, currently preparing for the National Sports Festival, have become stranded, as they do not have alternative site for training. Many of them appeared helpless when they were rebuffed as they made attempts to get into the facilities.
FIFA will have a third-round inspection tour of nine stadiums, out of which they would select the best six.
The tour begins 10 October.
