The Minister of Sports, Engineer Sani Ndanusa, has stated that the on-going work at the two stadia, the Sani Abacha Stadium and Kano Pilars Stadium has recorded tremendous progress, saying that the only set back is the lack of electronic score board which is yet to be installed.

Ndanusa made this observation in Kano on Sunday while on inspection tour of facilities at the two stadia expected to host the forthcoming Under-17 World Youth Championship to assess the level of preparedness so far recorded pending the visit of the FIFA delegation.

Expected in the country on July 26th this year the minister, who embarked on a critical inspection noted that despite the tremendous effort put up by the Kano State government and the enormous resources committed to ensure that Kano secured the hosting rights, the greatest setback is the absence of a score board, which is one of cardinal requirements to secure the hosting as a centre.

He explained that with the guarantee by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for a hundred per cent preparedness, the eight centres have also been mandated to give guarantee of readiness in meeting FIFA requirement for hosting the tournament.

He commended the state government for the progress of work achieved so far at the two stadia over the lying of the synthetic turf; despite its late arrival.

It was also observed that in the course of his inspection, the pillars supporting the popular side of the Sani Abacha Stadium was collapsing, where the sports minister was assured by contractor that within two weeks from now, the 20 columns will be re-enforced and encased for proper fabrication to make it solid.

Ndanusa also charged the Kano State government to provide another backup of power generation which we order them to as a matter of urgency provide another 1000 mega watt generating plant to add to the one thousand mega watt already installed to power the electronic score board.

He was also surprised on why the installations of equipment have not commenced at the press gallery after its completion, where he was assured that with one week a fast-track measure will be put in place for the final installation of power-back internet and inter facilities.

However, the visit seems to have been characterised by mixed feelings on the part of the contractors handling the projects, as they complained of non release of funds amounting to N90 million which should have been paid in the past six weeks by the ministry of information and sports.

One of the contractors who confided in newsmen said the refusal to release the fund has seriously hampered the progress of work at the two stadia.