Operators of viewing centres in Kano have decried the low patronage sequel to suspension of the European League occasioned by the coronavirus crisis.
A cross-section of the centre operators, who spoke on Thursday in Kano, said the pandemic had negatively affected the trade and exposed them to losses.
Aminu Sa’ad, a viewing centre operator, said that the number of football fans patronising the centre has dropped since the suspension of the Champions and European Leagues.
He said: “The suspension is regrettable; we spend much on the subscription which is expensive, we are now running the centre at a loss”.
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Another centre operator, Isa Zakari, described the trend as discouraging as fans were no longer trooping to watch football 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 the suspension of the football 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
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
