Winnipeg, MB - Today at City Hall, delegates from FIFA and the National Organising Committee for the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015â¢, met with media during an official site visit to Winnipeg. Delegates were in the city conducting working visits of Winnipeg's new stadium and training venues. Also joining the delegates were the Honourable Ron Lemieux, Manitoba Minister for Local Government and Grant Nordman, City Councillor - St. Charles Ward, Speaker of Council.
This is the third visit to Winnipeg by FIFA and the National Organising Committee for the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015� since Winnipeg was announced as an official host city.
“The province is very excited to welcome world class soccer to Manitoba,” said Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux. “We know by investing in excellent sporting sites, we benefit our communities and our economy, and contribute to the health and quality of life of our citizens.”
“This was an important visit to Winnipeg for the delegates as we were able to provide them with access to our new stadium facility,” said Grant Nordman, Councillor - St. Charles Ward, Speaker of Council. “We are expecting millions of televison viewers from around the world to watch matches taking place in Winnipeg and the other Canadian host cities. Winnipeg is committed to providing world-class hospitality and venues for this event and the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015â�� is a perfect opportunity to showcase our exciting city to a global audience.”
Selected in 2012, Winnipeg is one of six Canadian cities chosen to host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015⢠soccer event which is recognized as the world's most important and largest international women's sporting competition. Twenty-four international teams will compete in 52 matches from June 6 to July 5, 2015. Winnipeg is scheduled to host seven regular matches and three of the top six seeds will compete here. The other five Canadian host cities are: Edmonton, Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver.
Canada was awarded the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015⢠in March, 2011.
The FIFA Women's World Cup Soccer event is held every four years and the 2015 event is expected to attract over one million spectators across Canada, and more than 15 million viewers on television. Soccer is the number one participation sport in Canada and the World Cup event is expected to help build interest and excitement around youth soccer participation.
For more information, please visit the official website: www.fifa.com/canada2015