COVID-19: Viewing centre operators bemoan low patronage in Kano
Operators of viewing centres in Kano have decried the low patronage sequel to the suspension of the various European leagues occasioned by the coronavirus crisis.
A cross -section of the viewing centre operators, who spoke on Thursday in Kano, said the pandemic has negatively affected the trade and exposed them to losses.
A viewing centre operator, Aminu Sa’ad, 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 subscription which is expensive and 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 football matches at his centre.
Zakari recounted that he was making good savings 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.
Albert Eze and Kasim Mustafa, who corroborated the earlier opinions expressed, said they have now resorted to showing movies to enable them stay in business.
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“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.
