COVID-19: Ganduje reopens football viewing centres

Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano, has announced the reopening of football viewing centres across the state.

In a statement, Abba Anwar, Ganduje’s spokesman, said the governor gave the directive when the leadership of Soccer Viewing Centres Association in the state paid him a courtesy visit, on Friday.

As of Thursday evening, the state had recorded 1,048 cases of COVID-19, making it the third state with the highest number of confirmed cases in the country.

Despite rising cases, the governor had earlier approved congregational Eid prayers in the state.

Ganduje had also ordered the reopening of markets and worship centres.

Anwar quoted the governor as saying the reopening of viewing centres will boost economic activities.

He said Ganduje also donated 40,000 face masks to the association for the distribution in their viewing centres, so as to strengthen observance of the laid down protocols.

The governor urged members of the association to observe all protocols enunciated by health authorities.

“It is in line with our decision to see that our economy bounces back, through reinvigorating commercial and other business activities in the state, that I have directed all viewing centres to be re-opened from today,” he said.

Ganduje added that viewing centres should be used as a platform for creating awareness among youth on ways to help tame the pandemic.

In reaction, Sharu Rabi’u Ahlan, the state chairman of the association, commended the governor for the donation.

“Your Excellency on behalf of all our members we are appreciative of your unrelenting effort to human development, especially youth, in the state,” he said.

“We are grateful for the face masks His Excellency gave us. And we promise to abide by all the protocols, sir. Our members are always supportive of your policies. And we are in good working relationship with the state ministry of information and the state censorship board.”