COVID-19: Viewing center operators bemoan low patronage in Kano

Centres

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

Kano, March 18, 2020(NAN) Operators of viewing centers in Kano have decried the low patronage sequel to suspension of the European League occasioned by the coronavirus crisis.

A cross section of the center operators, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kano, said the pandemic had negatively affected the trade and exposed them to losses.

Aminu Sa’ad, a viewing center operator, said that the number foot ball fans patronasing the center has dropped since the suspension of the Champions and European Leagues.

He said: “The suspension is regrettable; we spend much on subscription which is expensive, we are now running the centre at a loss”.

Another centre operator, Isa Zakari, described the trend as discouraging as fans were no longer trooping to watch foot ball matches at the centre.

Zakari recounted that he was making good saving from the centre before the outbreak of coronavirus, and expressed the hope that efforts to control the pandemic would yield positive results, to enable them resume operations.

Mr Albert Eze and Kasim Mustafa, who corroborated earlier opinion, said they now resorted to showing movies to enable them stay in business.

“Following suspension of the of the foot ball leagues in Europe, we are now showing Nigerian, Indian and other movies so as to keep the centres running.

“I also sell soft drinks and snacks rather than closing down the centre,” Mustafa said. (NAN)

MNT/RSA

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Edited by Rabiu Sani Ali