Other major considerations are the availability of
Hotel accommodations and good transportation system. Then, the sporting
culture of that city is also very important. The tourist attractions in and
around the city could yet be another silent factor
We looked at these factors in the study we
conducted recently at GreenHunters Sports International and we found that among
the numerous
Cities in Nigeria, five are highly
attractive and recommended to host even a major world sporting events today.
However, the result of this study isn't static. The research on the most
Beautiful Sports Cities in Nigeria is subject to change and will be. Updated as cities dynamics change
and new infrastructures develop.
At this point, in descending order, let me
serve you the top 5 most beautiful sports Cities in Nigeria:
1. Lagos city
2. Port Harcourt city
3. Kano city
4. Calabar
city
5. Abuja
6. Uyo city
Let's see below some of the factors that made
these cities rank so high.
1. Lagos city can singly host major sporting
events such as the Commonwealth games. It had in the past host FIFA U20 World
Cup, African Cup of Nations, Nigeria Sports Festival and the finals of
Federations Cup for 5 years running.
The sporting culture in Lagos is phenomenal. A
tournament like the Federations cup finals has the capacity to pull in over 60,
000. Spectators in just a single football match.
Lagos has 4 standard stadia: former national
stadium, Teslim Balogun stadium, Onikan stadium, Agege stadium. Then, Rowe Park and Campus
Square Mini-stadium among others sporting facilities in institutions like
University of Lagos, Yaba College of Technology...
Lagos is perhaps the most secured city in
Africa, with Rapid Response police vehicles patrolling and modern surveillance
equipment installed in major city hobs. State emergency squad always on
standby, you can be rest assured of your safety.
Lagos has over 80 world class hotels and
resorts: Sheraton, Protea, Federal palace, Festac77, Hilcrest, Eko Holiday Inn
among others.
Lagos has put in place a great transportation
system. It has both International and local airports, quick service bus lane,
helicopter and Ferry services are all available.
The city of Lagos run almost 24 hours, with
major night life in some areas. The city has wonderful tourist attractions:
Lekki Peninsula, Tarkwa bay, Bar beach, Whispering palms, national museum,
national theatre among others.
2. Port Harcourt is known as the garden city
and a vintage place for sports activities. It is one of the prides of the nation. The city hosts three of the group matches
of FIFA U20 World cup in 1999 and several of the national team home games.
With well improved facilities, PH has two world
class arenas: Adokie Amasiemaka stadium and Samson Siasia stadium; then the
University of Port Harcourt sports centre.
Garden city is home to two Premier league
teams: Sharks fc and Dolphins fc as well as the greatest women team in Africa,
Rivers Angels. It has a great sporting culture with large number of followers.
The city can easily attract over 60, 000 spectators in one event, with
neighbouring cities like Aba, Owerri, Calabar always coming into town to be part
of the classics.
PH has an international airport and one of the
best network of roads and Ferry system in the country. Movement of people and cargoes is never a
problem.
As a tourist city, PH is known to have the
largest number of hotels, over 150 standard accommodations: Royal Castle,
Springhills multiconcept, Presidential, La meridien, Tiffany, Herford and many
other hotels.
Tourists are being attracted to the city's
Isaac Boro park, Finima beach, Isaka holiday resort, Monument of King Jaja of
Opobo...
The security of lives and properties is much
better after the reconciliations of the militants. The garden city is much more
cozy and friendly to host any world class sporting event.
3. Kano is an ancient city with great history.
Its perhaps the largest commercial city in West Africa and the people's passion
for sports is second to none.
The
city is full of athletic youths and on a daily bases every available space is jam packed with
youths keeping fit or training for the future.
The city has a premier football team called
Kano Pillars, which has dominated the Nigerian Professional Football League for
the forth year running. On match day
all road leads to the stadium. The city
also has one of the greatest Basketball club in Africa also known as Kano Pillars.
Kano has two standard stadia: Sami Abacha
stadium and the Township stadium in Sabo Gari. The city can as well accommodate
another one million visitors for short stay.
It has some world class hotels: Royal Tropicana, New Palace, Liberty
Holdings, Kano guest inn, Central hotel and many more.
Kano has an international airport, good network
of roads and revamped railway system. It is a city for great African
merchants and has some interesting places of attractions: Emir's palace, Kano
ancient city walls and gates, Folgore game reserve, Brimin Kudu rock paintings,
Bagauda lake and Tiga dam.
The security in Kano city is quite safe, as
they have been able to curb the insurgency of Boko Haram.
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