AFCON: Lagos sets up free viewing centres for football lovers

Emmanuel Adeleke

The Lagos State Government has announced the establishment of ten viewing centres for football lovers across the state through the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) and sponsorship from private sector.

The LSSC Director of Public Relations, Titi Oshodi-Eko,who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said that the public/private sector viewing centres had kicked off across the state in earnest.

Oshodi-Eko noted that the viewing centres, which were adequately secured, were located at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere; Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island; Abesan playground; and Naval Yard, Ajegunle.

Others are Bishop Aggrey Youth Centre, Mushin; Epe Recreation Centre, Italewa; Ikorodu; Badagry Grammar School, Badagry; Agege Stadium, Agege; and Mobolaji Johnson Sports Center, Rowe Park, Yaba.

“When Nigeria took on Egypt in their first Group match on Tuesday, all the centres were filled with Nigerians coming out in their numbers to show their patriotic support for their darling Eagles, who eventually won with 1 – 0.

“The idea of the private sector partnering with state government is to bring football closer to Lagos residents, which will be more fun and entertaining as fans watch all the matches of the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 (AFCON).

“In addition, the government and the private sector also want the people to have a feel of football action in the tournament and more importantly to connect to each other as football cut across classes, ethnicity and religion.

“As part of this administration’s theme, the viewing centres will serve as an avenue to bring people together for a better world and this is what LSSC is doing with the AFCON Viewing Centres.

“It’s a place where people from different backgrounds will come together to watch live matches, have fun and enjoy themselves.

“This will serve as an added value that private sector is interfacing with the state government to develop sports in the state,” the statement added.