THE Kwara State government have budgeted a sum of N9 million for the hosting of the African Youth Championship (AYC) qualifier between Nigerian Under-21 football squad, Flying Eagles, and their Tanzanian counterpart.

The match is fixed for August 11 this year at the state's sports complex Ilorin.

It is perhaps the first time in the recent history of the stadium to have been granted the hosting of the high profile game. The stadium, built by the late Administrator of the state, George Innih, was recently renovated by the administration of the immediate past Governor of the state, Dr Bukola Saraki.

It is at present having the facilities of any modern stadium in Africa. Its synthetic field, tartan tracks, covered sides and floodlights are comparable only to the ones at the National Stadium Abuja.

The Kwara State Commissioner for Sports, Kayode Towoju, declined comments on the fund earmarked for the hosting, saying, however, that “the honour “done the state by the Nigeria football Federation (NFF) ceding to it the hosting rights was commendable.

Towoju promised a well organized hosting of the game, just as he pledged early preparation towards averting any major hitch that could embarrass the state and the nation.

The Guardian learnt that the state could still insist on the NFF paying the usual fees to the match officials and the visiting team.

Kwara and Rivers states were the two leading contenders to host the game, but sources said it was given to the former because the NFF felt that Rivers had in the past enjoyed the privilege of hosting National Team matches, hence the need to try other geopolitical zones, especially North Central block.