Kelvin Obambon|1 June 2018
In keeping with his tradition of ensuring that Cross Riverians do not miss out in anything that will translate to happiness, the executive governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade is to provide free viewing centre at the U.J. Esuene Sport Stadium, Calabar, where all the 64 matches in the upcoming Russia 2018 FIFA world cup will be watched live and free of charge.
Making the disclosure at a press briefing today in Calabar, chairman of the state sport commission, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, said the governor is passionately determined to meet the people's need, noting that the poor power supply in some parts of Calabar could place a constraint on the football loving public who may not want to miss any action in the mundial.
He said, ''Yesterday, His Excellency called me and said he'll take over the project of providing free viewing centre throughout the duration of the world cup."
He said that it is his desire to make sure as many Cross Riverians as possible watch as many matches as possible throughout the duration of the world cup; and he has gone ahead to pledged to provide projectors, screens and the providers of the matches here in UJ Esuene Stadium.
''And I want to re-emphasize that some matches will be played in the odd hours of the night and morning. So we have issues of concern about security. Providing a secured environment like this will afford as many people and their families opportunity to watch the world cup matches.'', Duke stated.
The mega viewing centre, according to the sport commission boss, will be equipped with high definition screens, projectors and air conditioners. The viewing centre is estimated to take up to 2,000 to 3,000 viewers.
Hon. Duke however said the current administration inherited a dysfunctional sporting infrastructure and that the Ayade-led government will leave no stone unturned in its drive to change the fortune of sport in Cross River State.
Meanwhile, Hon. Orok Duke also used the occasion to speak on ongoing projects dotted all over the stadium landscape, with some almost at completion stages.
The chairman who had, prior to the press briefing, carried out an inspection visit with journalists to different project sites to assess the level of work progress, lauded the governor's effort towards the revitalization of sport in the state by putting up adequate facilities to cater for the training of sport men and women who have so far distinguished themselves in their various specialties.
Kelvin Obambon blogs for NegroidHaven
