‘At Lagos World Cup Viewing Centres, The Show Must Continue’

Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission, Hon. Babatunde Bank-Anthony watching Super Eagles playing against Argentina at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere 

Though Nigeria’s Super Eagles are out of the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup Finals, life continues at all the Viewing Centres established by the Lagos State Governor, His Excellence, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode for Lagosians to watch live matches of the Mundial.

Before the kicked of the World Cup, the sports loving Governor ordered the establishment of these viewing centres through the Lagos State Sports Commission and with sponsorship from Budweiser. These viewing centres, which were adequately secured and insured are located at Teslim Balogun Stadium in  Surulere, Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island; Abesan playground, Alimosho; Naval Yard Ajegunle; Bishop Aggrey Youth Centre, Mushin and Epe Recreation Centre. He also maded approval for additional two viewing centres at Ikorodu Town Hall, Ikorodu and Badagry Grammar School, Badagry.

When Nigeria took on Argentina in their last Group match on Tuesday, all the centres were jammed packed with Nigerians coming out in their numbers to show their patriotic support for their darling Eagles, who eventually lost 1-2 to Lionel Messi inspired Argentine squad.

Director General of the Sports Commission, Hon. Babatunde Bank-Anthony told PM EXPRESS in an interview said that though the Eagles have crashed out of the World Cup, the show must continue, while the fun must not stop at all the Viewing Centres. He said that with all the premium products of the sponsorship partner, International Breweries Plc on hand at all the centres, there will be more fun and entertainment as fans watch other matches of 2018 World Cup.

Explaining the reasons for the establishment of the Viewing Centres during the World Cup, Bank-Anthony disclosed that Governor Ambode wanted the people to have a feel of football action in the tournament and more importantly he wants to connect to Lagosians as football cut across classes, ethnics and religious.

“That’s why we gave it hastag #mylagosmyfootball#. We initially proposed three centres at Campos, Ajegunle and Mushin, but when we got sponsorship from Budweiser, we expand it to Teslim Stadium, Abesan and Epe. But through popular demand from well meaning Lagosians, additional two centres in Ikorodu and Badagry were added.

“I’m so happy to say that the enthusiasm was great as people found those centres as fun and relaxation spots to enjoy the World Cup. Even when Nigeria was not playing, people visited the centres to give support to their favourite players playing for their countries in the World Cup. This is to tell you that our people are so passionate about football.

“I must thank His Excellence, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for giving us the approval to establish these centres, so also the International Breweries Plc for the sponsorship. This is a public/private partnership to add values to what we are doing at the Sports Commission. And more importantly, to every fan that visit the centres everyday since the World Cup kicked off, ” Hon. Bank-Anthony said.