Email
Print
Digg ThisABUJA, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Nigeria has decided it will host the 2009 FIFA Under-17 soccer World Cup after organisers slashed the budget needed to stage the tournament, the presidency said on Wednesday.
The West African country withdrew from hosting the event a week ago after the local organising committee proposed a 37 billion naira ($314 million) budget which the government, struggling to cut back on spending, rejected as too expensive.
The decision sparked controversy in the soccer-mad nation, with many Nigerians arguing it was embarrassment that highlighted the poor state of the local game.
Others argued that the original budget proposal was outrageously high.
Nigerian newspapers said world soccer governing body FIFA may impose sanctions because of the withdrawal.
"After due consideration with the global soccer body, the president has approved that the sum of 9 billion naira be included in the 2009 budget for the hosting of the under-17 World Cup," presidential spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi said.
"The organisation is to be under the supervision of the vice-president directly," he said.
FIFA gave Nigeria provisional rights for the youth championship about three years ago and the final approval is expected early next year.
In June, a FIFA team commended Nigeria's preparations for the tournament slated for Nov. 2009 after inspecting sports facilities across the country.
Nigeria successfully hosted the Under-21 youth championship in 1999. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/ )
