Province Backs 2015 World Cup Bid
Apr 26, 2012
(News Release) VICTORIA — The provincial government is providing $2 million to help bring the largest women’s sporting event in the world to British Columbia, announced Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport, and Cultural Development.
Vancouver is one of six candidate cities — Montreal, Moncton, Ottawa, and Winnipeg are the others — vying to host soccer matches in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. By providing this level of support, payable if the city is selected as a host, the B.C. government is ensuring Vancouver meets the requirements of a host city. The federal government will match all funding provided by the provinces.
“The Canadian Soccer Association is thrilled to have Vancouver among the candidate bid cities and is confident that, if called upon, it would once again demonstrate its support for the beautiful game," says Peter Montopoli, general secretary of the Canadian Soccer Association.
Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to attend the 2015 World Cup matches, and many would be visitors from outside of B.C. The 2015 World Cup will provide increased exposure for the province’s tourism, recreation, and hospitality sectors.
“FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 will provide a lift to the local economy and serve as a beacon for the thousands of young soccer players in B.C. to follow," says Chong. "Our government is proud to support this endeavour, which would allow British Columbia to once again shine on the world sporting stage.”