Manaus, one of the 12 cities due to stage soccer World Cup matches in
Brazil in 18 months, will be ready on time, despite fears expressed by
FIFA, Brazil's deputy sports minister Luis Fernandes said on Wednesday.
"There is no threat whatsoever to any of the 12 host cities not being
ready in time," Fernandes told international journalists. "We are
confident that all the host cities are confirmed and there are no
threats to any of them."
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke:
"For us, the Brazilian government and our partners at municipal and
state level the World Cup is an historic opportunity to ferment national
development and that involves establishing regional development
throughout the country," Fernandes said on Wednesday.
"Manaus is
in the heart of the Amazon jungle and that has added to the complexity
of organising the World Cup there. It is not an area that has easy
access as other cities do so it demands special attention because of the
specific nature of the city.
"But we are in continuous
discussions with the state government in terms of guaranteeing that all
essential investment in terms of having the World Cup there is in place.
"I
don't think it is correct to say it is behind schedule with respect to
what is essential for the World Cup to be there but there are a number
of special challenges. Boats have to get there because they are going to
be used as accommodation during the World Cup. We have to discuss
whether people will stay there for the games or stay in other regions
and fly in for games. There is no obstacle in place that will threaten
Manaus hosting matches in 2014."
Fernandes said the government were well aware that operations and
management of Brazil's airports needed to be improved before both the
World Cup and next year's Confederations Cup tournament which is taking
place in six of the 12 World Cup venues.
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