Ilaji Sports Resort can compete favourably with that of Dubai, Germany, England or any place in the world.
Making the disclosure in Ibadan is the president of Africa Mini-Football Nations Cup (AMC) Achraf Ben Salha after inspecting facilities in the ancient city ahead of the country hosting the AMC Mini-World Cup later in the year
Achraf Ben Salha, a Tunisian, who is also the vice president of the World Mini-Football Federation, was accompanied on the inspection tour of the facilities by Tarik Zakaria, a member of AMC.
“I have seen fantastic facilities at Ilaji. The facilities in the hostel and hotel for the players and officials were of world class. The only places that I have seen such facilities are in the United States of America, Dubai and Germany among some of the countries that I have visited where mini-football is played. The uniqueness of the facilities at Ilaji Sports Resort is that all the facilities are in the same enclosure on a verse land, and that would reduce stress on the players, as they would come out of their rooms and walk straight to the pitch without waiting for official vehicle”, thus declared Achraf Ben Salha after inspecting the facilities that would host the second edition of the Africa Mini-Football Confederation Nations Cup scheduled for July 8 to 17.
He however pointed out that the minor things he noticed deficient could be fixed within one week.
The Tunisian was elated when he said that while on the inspection of the facilities, “I received calls from more countries indicating interest to participate in the tournament in Nigeria. And from the present situation, we will have about 26 countries in attendance as against 20 entries that I have earlier received before coming to Nigeria.
“This is a great improvement compared to the eleven countries that featured in the maiden edition in 2018 in Libya, and three foreign television stations (which he did not disclosed) have approached me for live telecast of the matches of the tournament in Nigeria”, Ben Salha said and added that while in the country, “I am here in Nigeria as the eyes of the World Mini-Football Federation and all president of the African Mini-Football Confederations”.
While responding to questions on the facilities he saw at Ilaji, the Tunisian said, “Nigeria bided to host and she is our Plan A, and after seeing what were available at Ilaji Sports Resort, she is our Plan B and C in the hosting of the second edition of the tournament”.
Chairman of the Nigeria Mini-Football Association, Hon Oluyemi Adewale Taiwo, said all hands are on the deck to ensure successful hosting of the tournament.
According to Taiwo, the association would commence open camp by the end of May from where a formidable team that would represent the country would be assembled.
Remarkably, Cote d’Ivoire that won the maiden edition in Libya, is among the countries being expected in the Ilaji tournament.
