LAGOS, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's Minister of Sports Sani Ndanusa has said Nigeria is fully ready for the FIFA inspection team due to arrive the country July 26 for the final inspection of stadia and facilities earmarked to host the U-17 World Cup on July 28, 2009.
"I have visited all the stadia and all the demands by FIFA have been met and the few areas that need attention, I have asked the state government affected to meet up," the minister told sports writers in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to him, there is no cause for alarm as the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the Nigeria 2009 is on top of their responsibility.
Emeka Inyama, LOC general manager in charge of general services, said the committee is poised to organize the best U-17 world championship, noting that with the launching of the various sub-committees and the take off of the national awareness and public mobilization committee, Nigeria is ready to host the games.
He said that LOC is ready to receive the FIFA inspection team led by Jack Warner who is expected to announce the 8 venues that will host the World Cup after the inspection.
Inyama had announced last week that the draws for the championship involving 24 countries would be made on August 7, 2009.
The draw in Abuja will determine the fixtures for the group stage of the competition, which will be played from 24 October to 15 November 2009.
The 24 teams participating in the tournament are, Iran, Japan, South Korea and United Arab Emirates (Asian Zone); Algeria, Burkina Faso, Gambia and Malawi (African Zone); Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey (European Zone).
Others are Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and USA (North Central America and Caribbean Zone); New Zealand (Oceania); Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay (South American Zone);and Nigeria who have qualified automatically as the host country.
FIFA Vice-President and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Jack Warner will be in attendance including other top Nigerian dignitaries.
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