Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured the safety of participants and visitors coming to Lagos State for the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in 2020.
The governor gave the assurance on Tuesday when he received a delegation from the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) in his office after Lagos was named as a potential host city for the competition.
President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, led FIFA officials on the visit.
Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu guaranteed, will ensure improvement in the condition of all sporting facilities already inspected by the FIFA committee to give participants comfort and make their experience rewarding.
HE said he was elated by the choice of Lagos as a potential host city of the sporting fiesta – a development that followed FIFA’s inspection of sporting facilities in the State.
“Lagos is a whole lot of energy, with a lot of very resourceful, hospitable and dynamic people, who understand and appreciate the issues around hospitality.
It is a state with a population that has a lot of diversity. We are very excited that FIFA is considering hosting one of its very important tournaments, U-20 Women’s World Cup, in Nigeria. By implication, Lagos is one of the host cities of this fiesta.
“We understand there will be a few concerns. As a government, we will give our assurances on all things required to make the event successful. We will ensure adequate security for all participants.
“We will also be supporting NFF and FIFA to ensure seamless transportation, accommodation and crowd management. We will do whatever would create an enduring experience for the visitors coming to the FIFA events,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Responding, Mr Pinnick described Lagos government as “giant promoter” of sports, while also acknowledging Governor Sanwo-Olu’s role in the mileage achieved by the Super Eagles in the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Hosting the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Lagos, the NFF boss said, would be the required boost to spur the Falconets to lift the trophy next year.
He said if given the hosting right, Nigeria will become the first African country to host the women world cup, pointing out that the FIFA team members were satisfied with the condition of the facilities inspected in Lagos.
