Powerless Kano awaits U.S. To keep itself occupied during its Nigerian stay, the U.S. U-20s are taking VCRs, videos and video games to the World Youth Championship. Whether they’ll be able to use them is another matter. Kano, where the Americans will be stationed through April 10, has been without electricity in the weeks leading to the tournament, although the government has spent roughly $11 million to boost power in the region. In addition, water and fuel are difficult to come by. The Sani Abacha Sports Complex, named for the late dictator, has received rave reviews, although it apparently is surrounded by refuse dumps and uncleared gutters that breed disease-carrying mosquitoes. Kano also has been the center of Muslim protests against the tournament. The city’s mullahs, mostly Islamic fundamentalist preachers, have sought to dissuade people from cooperating with local organizers and visitors because the Qur’an, they claim, forbids the use of public funds for sporting activities. The campaign has gained momentum throughout Nigerian mosques. Ustaz Ibrahim Alaramma, a leading Islamic preacher in Kano, has protested authorities’ decision to remove street traders and beggars from the city’s streets in advance of the games. “Such a step,” he said, “is bound to incur Allah’s wrath on the nation.” Organizers stumble Preparations for the tournament, troubled from the start, reached a crisis point less than a week before kickoff. Transportation was a mess, with all tournament vehicles still in Abuja, the capital, rather than dispersed to competition sites; committee members said only $165,000 had been dispersed from the $1.75 million allocated for transportation. The p.r. campaign hadn’t begun because payments had not been made to companies charged with creating posters, billboards, banners and the like. And the sub-committee on venues and facilities failed to construct proposed shops at the eight venues, then disappeared with more than $500,000 in fees from prospective shop owners, Nigeria’s Post Express reported. And South Korea’s delegation arrived in Lagos to learn the hotel rates were far higher than they’d expected. Rooms at the Sheraton, usually about $33, were priced at $285. “Your people have not treated us well,” a team official told the Post Express. “Not even in Europe could you find such expensive charges.” Ailing Argentina loses Aimar Argentina, looking for a third successive title, must do without Pablo Aimar, one of two returning players from Malaysia ’97. The River Plate forward is among three players from the South American championship squad Coach Nestor Pekerman had to leave home with injury. Also missing are Adrian Guillermo and Cesar La Paglia. Another forward — Javier Saviola — won’t play because River Plate refuses to release him. Also out is Nigerian forward Aliyu Mohammed of AC Milan, who has a knee injury.