Efio-Ita Nyok|12 May 2018
His Excellency, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, the Executive Governor of Cross River state has granted approval for the hosting of Nigeria's Senior Women National Team (Super Falcons) and the U-20 Men National Team (Flying Eagles) in view of their Continental Championship Qualifying matches against The Gambia and Guinea Bissau respectively billed to come up on Saturday 19th of May and 12th of June 2018 respectively at the U. J. Esuene Sports Stadium, Calabar NegroidHaven can report authoritatively.
This is information was made known Friday by Comr Asu Okang, the Honourable Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Cross River state in the state capital while holding a press briefing at his office. Okang who informed that His Excellency the Governor has directed that a local organising committee (LOC) be constituted to ensure that the matches are successful, stressed that the Governor noted that the matches will be toll free despite the fact that it is a revenue earner for the state. According to him, 'It is the responsibility of this committee that the stadium is filled to capacity. His Excellency has directed that the matches be toll free. Don't forget that the U. J. Esuene Sports Stadium is a success story for our teams'.
'Understanding the revenue implications of declaring an International Football Tournament toll free, but His Excellency Sen. Prof. Ayade Benedict has directed that we should keep the gates of the U.J. Esuene Sports Studium for the matches open for all sport loving C Riverians', Okang added.
Okang further charged the committee to 'put modalities in place to ensure that the matches are successfully executed without hitch'. Highpoint of the press briefing was the formal inauguration of the LOC chaired by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Hon. Effiom Effiwatt. On his part, Effiwatt who assured the Honourable Commissioner of a successful hosting encouraged sport-loving Cross Riverians including residents to come to U. J. Esuene Sports Stadium on the 19th of May and 12th of June respectively. He said that 'Cross River state isn't new to hosting important matches beginning from 1999… One thing I can certainly say is that the National Team has been most successful at U. J. Esuene Sports Stadium. We want to appeal to all sport-loving Cross Riverian to come and support the team.'
The committee is a 19-member structure including but not limited to Mrs Ninka Takon the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Cross River State, Mrs Justina Ovat the General Manager of Tinapa Lakeside Hotel, Maurice Inok the Chairman of Rovers FC, Prince Agbor Onyi the SA to the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Esther Okoi the Information Officer of the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Patrick Ifere the Vice Chair of Pelican Stars FC, Mike Ushie the FA Secretary, Ejen Ebam the General Manager of Rovers FC. According to the Honourable Commissioner, every member has something to contribute to the successful hosting of the football event.
Kick off time for each of the matches is 4PM prompt.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is the Blogger-in-Chief, Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of NegroidHaven
