World Conquest-dreaming Minister kicks-off tour

In order to ensure quality facilities for the 2006 Premier League season, the Minster for Youth and Sports Development Isimali Sambawa will begin the inspection of sports facilities in the States of the Federation this month. Speaking with nigeriasports shortly on his arrival from Algeria yesterday,Monday September 5, 2005, Sambawa confirmed tha,t his September visit would kick- off on Monday with Ogun State, where he would inspect their stadium and other facilities that would be used for the 2006 National sport festival.

Apart from Ogun State, he would also tour other States like; Ibadan, Rivers, Lagos, Enugu, Kano and Kaduna. According to him, the end-of- year tour is to make sure that, every stadium and its facilities are in order for the 2006 football league season. "Like I said earlier, I want to make sure that, football in this country is worth watching.

" Iam going to start my tour on Monday September 12, 2005 to venues in the north, Enugu, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and others to make sure that everything is in place for next season,” Apart from next League season, don’t forget that Port Harcourt will be hosting the FA Cup finals. Off course, you know that as far as Nigerian football is concerned, the FA Cup is a big competition and I will not like a situation, where teams will start complaining at the end of the day.

" So like I said, I will make sure that everything is in place before the finals are played there,” he said. Sambawa optimistically confirmed to nigeriasports.com that the 2010, World Cup preparation would kick- off soon to enable the country acquire enough experience and training before the time. “My target is to make sure that, this country wins a World Cup.

" I may not be here by then, but I must lay a foundation for any body who will take- over from me. All we need do,is to develop our football to a more appreciative standard. I think the earlier we get started, the better for us, because most countries in Europe have started preparation. Yes, 2006 is by the corner and it will come and go. So we are looking ahead,” he noted.

.Report from:BIBIAN AKUBIKE