Senegal’s Visit
Monday 16th April
His Excellency Abdou Sourang, Senegal’s Ambassador
Senegal has sent an advanced party to Coventry ahead of their 2012 play-off game with Oman this month.
The West African country faces Oman at the City of Coventry Stadium on Monday, April 23 (kick-off 7.45pm) as part of the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament qualification match – with the winners securing the last place at London 2012.
And the Senegal team will have full ambassadorial support after a visit to the city.
His Excellency Abdou Sourang, Senegal’s Ambassador to the UK, was given a guided tour of the venue, met the Lord Mayor Cllr Kieran Mulhall and Council Leader John Mutton before being shown around the Cathedral and St Mary’s Guildhall.
It was the first time the Ambassador, who first worked in the UK in 1985, had visited the city – but he will be back to cheer on his country.
“It was a very special day. The stadium is very impressive indeed and is clearly about so much more than football,” he said.
“I am certainly fortunate to be ambassador at the time when the Olympics is coming to London and to be able to see Senegalese athletes in action, but it would be fantastic if our football team could qualify.
“I will be returning to the city to watch the game – and hopefully to see Senegal in action in Coventry during the Olympics themselves.”
Daniel Gidney, chief executive of the City of Coventry Stadium, said the Ambassador had offered to help publicise the city’s role in the Games.
“We have sent all the details to the embassy and they will be making sure that UK’s Senegalese community is aware of the game and how important it is for their country.
“I think the Ambassador was impressed with the venue and we are delighted he is coming to the game to support his country.”
Councillor Mutton, a keen football fan, said: “This is a key game for the Olympic Games as it is the test event for the football competition – but it has far bigger connotations for the two countries involved.
“The Lord Mayor and I had an hour with the Ambassador who was well versed on our city and hopefully we have fostered some strong links which will be mutually beneficial.”
Tickets for the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament qualifier at the City of Coventry Stadium are available by logging on to www.theticketfactory.com/footballtournamentqualification or by telephoning 0844 338 800 and from www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by telephoning 0844 277 0700.
Hospitality packages for the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Qualification Play-Off Match are available from £20 and can be purchased by calling 0844 873 6323 or emailing loft@ccfc.co.uk
Tickets are available for the London 2012 Olympic Football Tournament, including matches at the City of Coventry Stadium. These tickets will go back on sale in late April or early May. View the full competition schedule by visiting www.tickets.london2012.com
More information on hospitality packages for Olympic Football matches at the City of Coventry Stadium is available by emailing loft@ccfc.co.uk
PICTURE CAPTION: His Excellency Abdou Sourang, Senegal’s Ambassador to the UK, is welcomed to the City of Coventry Stadium by chief executive Daniel Gidney
