Western Australia set to join World Cup soccer bid

2/3/03
The Western Australian Government has given its in-principle support to Australia's bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2014, Premier Geoff Gallop announced today.
Dr Gallop said Western Australia would join Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia in jointly examining the possibility of bringing the lucrative sporting event to Australia.
"The FIFA World Cup is arguably the biggest sporting event in the world next to the Olympic Games," he said.
"It has the potential to generate significant economic impact for Western Australia both in terms of direct spending and through its global television coverage and broadcast rights.
"In joining the feasibility planning for this world-class event, Western Australia is looking to place itself on the international sporting stage."
Tourism Minister Clive Brown said WA was currently in the preliminary stages of examining the potential bidding process and its further involvement hinged on several factors.
"At this stage, support must be gained from the Federal Government and Soccer Australia before the proposal can proceed further," Mr Brown said.
"In-depth research into the cost, infrastructure implications and economic benefit to WA would also need to be conducted.
"It is still early days with FIFA yet to decide on the process for allocating host countries as far into the future as 2014. The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place in Germany in 2004 and Africa in 2010."
The Minister said soccer enjoyed overwhelming support from the WA public.
"Western Australians avidly support the Perth Glory and many WA soccer players have gone on to successful careers overseas," he said.
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