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All venues designated for the hosting of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Under 17 Championships in Nigeria should be ready by the end of June, officials have revealed in Abuja.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Mainasara Illo disclosd this while receiving the newly elected executive committee members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Abuja the Nigerian capital city on Wednesday.

Illow told the spsorts journalists that close to one billion US Dollars have so far been expended on the renovation work at the venues by the hosting state governments whom he said are very eager to host the event.

He commended the nine state governments involved in the upgradding of facilities preparatory to the hosting of the championship adding that at the end of the day a total of 45 upgraded pitches will have been provided in all the nine states which include, one competiton pitch and four training pitches in each of the states.

'Most of our playing surfaces were in bad shape before the renovation commenced and each of these states are really competing to get the nod to host the event. At the end even those who will not be part of the six venues will still be able to boast of good playing grounds for their teams to use', he said.

Mr. Illo revealed that at present Laogs, Abuja and Ijebu-Ode venues are 100 per cent ready, while those of Calabar and warri are abouut 98 per cent ready and would be completed in a matter of days.

On Kano and Enugu centres, the LOC boss said late procurement of facilities with foreign contents, particularly the FIFA Football Turf were responsible for the delay in the completion of renovation work.

He however announced that production of the turf had been completed and in less that one week, they are expected to arrive at the venue adding that within 10 days, they would be laid as the eperts to handle the job are already in the country.

Mr. Illo further explained that theturf could only be procured from FIFA licenced agents, adding that there are none in Africa and they would not produce until commitments have been made.

Last month, FIFA, the world soccer ruling body gave Nigeria a one month ultimatum within which to complete the designated venues which they discribed as far from being ready after their inspectiion.

This weekend in Abuja, officials of the federation are expected to meet with the Vice President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and other top Governemtn officials to discuss the hosting of the competition.

The soccer governning body is expected to demand a government guarantee and commitment to the hosting of the championship, a demand which the country already accepted and resolved to meet all necessary conditions.

(Source: AIPS)