Nigeria is on course with its preparations to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup in October 2009 but there is still a good deal of work to do before the tournament begins. That was the main conclusion of a FIFA inspection team led by Jack A. Warner, FIFA Vice-President and Chairman of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Organising Committee, which has just returned from a five-day visit to the country.

The team visited five of the nine potential venues, spread out across the country: Enugu, Warri, Kano, Abuja and Lagos. The tour was ably co-ordinated by the Local Organising Committee chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Sani Lulu, and Mainasara Illo, the chief executive of the LOC. The team were accompanied by Amos Adamu, FIFA Executive Committee member, and were received by state governors and sub-organising committees at all the venues. The team members were particularly impressed by the excitement among the public for the forthcoming event.

In Abuja, the Nigerian federal capital, the team found outstanding facilities ready to host an international tournament a very short notice. Enugu and Kano both benefit from the legacy of the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Championship, also held in Nigeria. However, the infrastructure in these cities however needs considerable updating if they are to be retained among the six sites for the 2009 finals. The more recent stadiums in Lagos and Warri will also have to be adapted to meet FIFA guidelines.

"I am pleased with what I saw and with my discussions with the governors of Enugu, Kano, Delta and Lagos states, and Alhaji Abdulrahman Hassan Gimba, the Honorable Minister and chairman of the National Sports Commission," affirmed Warner. "There is a lot of work to be done but I am sure Nigeria will pull it off and be ready."

Alhaji Gimba responded: "Nigeria will leave no stone unturned and will place all the means at the disposal of the venues to make this a memorable tournament for the cream of the world's young footballers."

The delegation will return to Nigeria in May to visit the four remaining venues, after which a final selection of six sites will be made.