FIFA World Cup: Cross River Government To Provide Free Viewing Center At Stadium

By Ogar Monday

Ahead of the June 14, 2018 kick off date for the 21st edition of the FIFA world cup in Russia, the Cross River State Government says it has concluded plans to provide a free viewing center for those who are interested in watching the world cup at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The Governor, Senator Ben Ayade disclosed this to newsmen at the stadium on Thursday where he averred that the move was to help those who have fears as regards security and even those who might not have the money to go to the viewing centers around have somewhere comfortable and safe for them to see the matches.

The state, and Special Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on National Assembly matters, Princess Florence Ita-Giwa had promised a viewing center to the Nyaghasang community after 8 people died following an electrocution two years ago.

Represented by the Chairman of the State’s Sports Commission, Mr. Orok Duke, Mr. Ayade said a big or a projector will be procured to execute the project.

“For Cross Riverians who are around the capital, if we had enough money we would have replicated this in the three senatorial district, the Governor has stepped it up and that means the provision of more chairs and to accommodate more persons,” he said.

Explaining the reason for this, Mr. Duke said that, “the essence of government is to provide succor and assistance anyway possible and some of these matches will be played at 3:00 AM, some late at night and some people might not want to come out because of security; we are providing all that here and we want the people to be the one to reject the offer.”

The stadium has a capacity of a little over 10,000 but the state plans to accommodate 7000 persons and Mr. Duke added that adequate security arrangement have been put together for those who will come out for the matches.

The quadrennial event will see 32 teams including Nigeria contest in elimination games to emerge winner.

Nigeria is yet to win the mundial in her five outings so far. However, they are hopes the country will go beyond the quarter finals stage which has been termed “The Glass Ceiling” for African teams in her sixth outing.