NTDC Explores Sports Tourism For Unity

The Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) yesterday  said it was seeking collaboration with the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on sports tourism.
The corporation’s Director-General, Mrs Sally Mbanefo, told newsmen in Abuja that sports tourism would enhance unity within Nigeria.
“We are seeking collaboration with the NFA because tourism touches every aspect in Nigeria and one of our core areas is sports.
“We believe that sports tourism will bring unity within Nigeria and there is no better way than to collaborate with the NFA which controls football, the king of sports in Nigeria.
“It’s hard to explain but, somehow, the different peoples of Nigeria, whether Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba, are just naturally interested in football.’’
Mbanefo said this was a good time to market Nigeria when the country has achievements to show in sports participation.
“This is the best time for us to market Nigeria, because we have a success story to tell.
“We won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2013, won the FIFA U-17 World Cup the same year, qualified for the senior World Cup and won bronze at the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
“So, it is a landmark celebration on sports tourism, and marketing Nigeria cannot be done without sports. This year, we have accolades of successes.
“I remember two or three years ago, we were losing. But now, we’ve managed to sustain the winning streak.
“It is a good time to tap into marketing Nigeria through sports,’’ she said.
The director-general also said the corporation wanted a synergy between it and the NFA for FIFA competitions and other global sporting events.
“We want to host Nigeria’s tourism and cultural event to show the world the rich cultural nature of Nigeria.
“We also have other initiatives to partner with the World Trade Market, World Sports Distribution Expose and other platforms through which NTDC can project Nigerian football and sports facilities,’’ Mbanefo explained.
She disclosed that the commission had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form an alliance with the NFA.

Super Eagles Christian Pyagbara (10) taking on an opponent at the recently concluded CHAN tournament in South Africa