Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode received FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, urging the football association to consider Lagos as preferred location for football projects. Ambode stressed that the establishment of the project in Lagos would further boost football development in the continent.
The governor, who received the FIFA president, who was in the state for FIFA executive summit, noted that Nigeria is very strong in youth soccer. Addressing the delegation which includes CAF President, Ahmed Ahmad, FIFA Secretary-General, Fatimah Diouf-Samora, NFF President, Amaju Pinnick and others, the governor stated that Lagos has the potentials to host the project.
He said to further encourage the game of football, the global football association should site it project in Lagos.
“And has you decides the location for the next FIFA projects, Lagos stands to welcome all your projects. We have the population, enthusiastic and tourism potentials to receive any of your projects,” he said.
While expressing his delight at the selection of Lagos for the FIFA summit, hinted that the summit would apparently boost the standard of the game in the country.
“We are delighted that Lagos is considered as the second African city to host the summit aimed at discussing football development. It is very important to us because soccer is a major sport in the state and contributes to its developments.”
Earlier, Infantino, disclosed that the summit would afford the body to discuss and decide new strategies to improve the game especially youth football. He said,
“We are here to discuss with CAF and NFF few projects that will help improve standard of football in the country.” “Also at the summit, we will be discussing strategies on how to improve the standard of youth and female football development. I know that Nigeria is a major force in the Africa,” he added.
Infantino stated that the summit was a strategy developed by FIFA’s, to discuss with every stakeholder on solutions confronting the game globally.