Australia’s flailing bid to host the 2018 World Cup has received a much needed boost with the government claiming that they will control the key elements of the bid and look to eradicate the problems which have halted the country to date.
Kate Ellis, the Australian Minister for Sport, stated that the government will establish a taskforce to sort out all the issues that have plagued the nation’s bid so far. However, she was quick to point out that this procedure doesn’t mean that the government are taking over Australia’s bid.
Kate Ellis, Minister of Sport, said: “One of the strengths of Australia is the diversity of sports on offer. It’s critical that other sports are consulted as we finalise the bid. The taskforce will assist the FFA to work with all sports to ensure that an Australian World Cup can deliver maximum benefit to sport and the community.”
The government’s decision comes just a few weeks after the Australian Football League (AFL) and the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) had aired their discontent at the prospect of having to postpone their respective seasons half way through for the World Cup.
Other troubles included the country struggling to name the 12 prospective stadiums that they would be putting forward to host the tournament along with the state and federal government tussle as to who would be funding the necessary stadium upgrades.
