The much advertised Premier League trophy tour of Nigeria failed to kick-off as scheduled on Thursday because of visa hitch, Qed.ng has learned.
Sources close to MultiChoice Nigeria, facilitators of the tour, informed this online newspaper that there was a problem getting the necessary travel documents for officials bringing the trophy.
The pay TV company had earlier announced that the trophy will arrive the country on October 26 and go on a tour of select locations in Lagos, climaxing in a public viewing event where fans will have access to it on October 28.
Checks by our correspondent, however, showed that the shield was nowhere near Nigeria on Thursday.
The tour was designed to begin with a presentation of the trophy to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja.
Mr Ambode, however, waited in vain until late in the afternoon when it became obvious that the presentation would no longer hold.
A protocol officer in Alausa told our correspondent under the condition of anonymity that “we made all the necessary arrangements for MultiChoice but we were later informed that those bringing the trophy had not arrived Nigeria because of visa hitch.”
Pressed further, he added that “we have cancelled the programme for today, but the governor might be willing to accommodate them again if they eventually come.”
Timothy Okwu of MultiChoice also confirmed in a telephone conversation that the trophy had not arrived Nigeria.
He, however, promised that it will be in the country on Friday and fans will have the opportunity to see it as scheduled.
If that happens, this will be the second time the trophy will be visiting Nigeria after the first visit in 2011.
General Manager Sales and Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho, said of the tour: There is no better way to celebrate the season than to give football lovers an opportunity to get up close with the coveted trophy.”
The Premier League trophy visits different countries where the league is significantly followed every year.
