CAF team checks Abuja venues ahead of November assembly and Lagos awards
- A 15-member CAF delegation has inspected Abuja venues for the 48th Ordinary General Assembly on November 21.
- The team, led by safety chief Christian Emeruwa, also looked at hotels and the international airport.
- CAF Awards follow in Lagos on December 7, with Nigeria hoping to show it can host big events.
African football's governing body has sent a 15-person team to Abuja to check whether Nigeria is ready to stage two continental events: the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly on November 21 and the CAF Awards in Lagos on December 7.
The delegation is led by CAF's head of safety and security, Dr Christian Emeruwa. It was joined by a six-member Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) team headed by the federation's communications director, Dr Ademola Olajire.
According to the National Sports Commission (NSC), the group toured the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, the Transcorp Hilton Hotel and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The visit was the team's second and last inspection in Nigeria, after an earlier stop in Lagos.
What the inspectors are checking
The team is looking at more than halls and hotel rooms. It is also reviewing visa and entry rules for delegates, landing permits, travel documents and how well government agencies are working with event organisers.
At a meeting with NSC chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, the officials went through accommodation, transport, immigration and hospitality plans. Dikko told them the Federal Government is committed to both events and that Nigeria wants to show it can handle major international sporting gatherings.
The NSC said accommodation and transport in Abuja have been sorted out with help from relevant authorities. A welcome dinner and other hospitality activities are being arranged with event partners and government representatives.
Organisers are also setting up a Local Organising Committee, whose members will be sent to CAF so the two sides can coordinate closely.
What happens next
The inspection team is expected to finish its work and leave Nigeria on November 23. Before that, a first preparatory delegation is due in the country on November 8, ahead of the assembly.
The CAF team will send its findings to CAF management, which will decide on any outstanding issues.
For ordinary Nigerians, the stakes go beyond football politics. Hosting African football administrators and award-night guests puts airports, hotels, transport and security on show, and a smooth run could help Nigeria win more big events in future. A poor showing would be harder to live down.
