The organisers of PVCFootball Novelty Match scheduled for February 9 have lamented the cancellation of the stadium booking for the event.
The Executive Director of Tap iNitiative, Martin Obono in a press briefing in Abuja, said it received words from the National Stadium authorities on Monday that the cancellation was at the instance of the presidency without providing further reasons.
He said the organisers paid for the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos state to serve as the venue for the match, which he said would feature 1994 and 2013 AFCON winners.
“This PVCFootball game is focused on engaging youths in obtaining their PVCs (Permanent Voters Cards), understanding the power of their ballots and participating peacefully in the election process. The PVC would be used as entry pass.
“On the 7th of December, 2018 we wrote a letter to the Stadium Manager seeking permission to use the Legacy Pitch inside the National Stadium. Approval was granted and we made payment on the 28th of December, 2018. Following acceptance of payment, we had gone ahead to make preparations for the novelty match,” Obono said.
He said former Nigerian football stars including Kanu Nwankwo, Victor Ikpeba and Samson Siasia were partnered to design and roll out the project, adding that the event would also honour past football heroes like Rashidi Yekini and Stephen Keshi.
Obono, however said, regardless of the National Stadium cancellation, organisers have reached out to other stadia to ensure the match takes place as planned in another stadium that would be communicated before the match day.
