Australia’s bid to host the 2018 Fifa World Cup received a major boost on Wednesday when the government agreed to spend millions of dollars to back the campaign.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Sports Minister Kate Ellis and Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson said the $30-million cash injection ”sends a clear message to the football world that Australia is serious about hosting the 2018 World Cup”.
”There is no better place in the world than right here in Australia,” Ellis said.
”This announcement shows to the entire football world we are very serious in our commitment and we know if successful, it would be a great win not just for the football fraternity, but for the sporting world and our economy and infrastructure.”
The Football Federation Australia (FFA) will formally lodge its bid by the end of 2010.
A decision on who will host the tournament is expected in 2011.
FFA chairperson Frank Lowy said the money would be spent wisely on securing the best ”professional services” to ensure Australia has a genuine chance of hosting the soccer showpiece.
”We will hire from Australia and overseas the very best people to show that Australia can do this job properly,” Lowy said.
”We have had two Olympics, two rugby world cups and Australia’s strength in this field is unquestionable.”
Australia is a relative newcomer to the international competitive soccer field after excelling in other codes.
But Lowy said he is confident Australia can win the right to host the tournament, despite a perception it should be held in Europe.
”While I understand there is a view emanating from Europe that it may well be the turn of Europe to be the hosts in 2018, the fact is football is a world game,” he said.
The government will work with the FFA as well as with local governments to hone the country’s bid.
England, Spain, Russia and a joint Dutch-Belgian effort are also expected to vie to host the competition, as are China, Japan, Qatar, the United States and Mexico.
Brazil has already been handed hosting rights for the 2014 Cup. — Sapa-AFP