FIFA Applauds Calabar Potentials

World Football governing body, FIFA, is thrilled with the tourism facilities in Cross River State, which potentials are capable of attracting visitors and boosting its economy, says the body’s official, Jasques Tronquet, at the Calabar Centre of the ongoing FIFA Under 17 World Cup.
Tronquet, who made the statement watching the second carnival Calabar dry run yesterday, added that after visiting some tourist sites in the area, he was impressed with what he saw.
Tronquet, who hails from Vanuatu in the Pacific region, said his country and New Zealand belong to the same region and with certain cultural affinities.
He said he expects his country’s officials and players to enjoy Calabar when they arrive in the city for the second round of the competition. FIFA officials had earlier visited some tourist sites in Calabar, including the Tinapa Business Resort, Marina Resort and Calabar Museum, among others.
The six carnival bands in their respective colours treated the officials to different dance steps at one point on the adjourning points on Mary Slessor Avenue while on the 12-kilometre carnival dry run, current carnival Queen, Queenet Orok, also participated in the dry run which saw the Fire Service Band, Prison Band and the Nigerian Civil Defence Security Corps and the Nigerian Immigration Band making their first appearance at the occasion.