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| Thursday, 02 September 2010 15:21 |
Portugal's World Cup bid "intelligent"FIFA wrap up visits to Dragao and Luz It was Portugal's turn to woo FIFA in their attempt, along with Spain, to host the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022 as the organising committee showcased two of their more impressive stadiums in the Estadio do Dragao and the Estadio da Luz.
FIFA's World Cup inspectors have been flying around the world the past few weeks visiting candidates who want to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022. Portugal/Spain have joined forces in hopes of landing either showcase, but face fierce competition from Russia, England, USA, Australia and another joint bid in Netherlands/Belgium. FIFA has now wrapped up its visits on the Iberian coast. Portuguese minister Pedro Silva feels that Portugal already has all the infrastructures needed, due to the fact that the country hosted Euro 2004, therefore investment into stadiums is not necessary. "This is an intelligent project for Portugal as it permits us to re-use the investments that were made (for Euro 2004)," said Silva. "We won't have to make any more investments for sport infrastructures - we don't need to." "We already have stadiums. There can't be a more intelligent investment in Portuguese football and economics as well, as these events have a huge return economically, in particular for Portugal, which relies on tourism." The FIFA delegates were at the Dragao yesterday, including Europarque, and completed their visit to the Luz today. Benfica executive Domingos Soares de Oliveira played host and felt that the meeting could not have gone better. "The visit occured within the normal process for all candidates," said Soares de Oliveira on Benfica TV. "We had the reponsibility to present the best stadium in Portugal and that happened in a little over a half hour." "It was an extrememly productive visit because we dignified Benfica's name, as we did Portugal's, demonstrating an infrastructure that is perhaps the best (in Portugal), if not the best in Europe." The Benfica executive went furhter and added that the rest of Benfica's grounds could be used for media outlets or bases for voltuneers. by Marco Pereira |
Let's not kid ourselves without Spain we probably wouldn't get it.. but it piggy backs off of Portugal's great Euro 2004 tournament that was met with rave reviews.
Add to that what Oliveira stated .. which is no need for public costs this looks like a win win all around..
Let us cross our fingers.
I agree that the English media has massive coverage across the globe and I hope it doesn't effect the bid process. Our bid will produce a very exciting WC in Europe.