http://tinyurl.com/68mdezo
By Michael Brown
Oceania under-20 champions NZ may not host the world cup in 2015. Photo / Getty Images
Organisers of the Under-20 World Cup 2015™ are seeking $4 million in Government funding as part of a $20 million budget for the event.There's a great deal of nervousness around staging major events in this country, especially with the projected losses from this year's Rugby World Cup - largely picked up by the taxpayer - and the $2.3m deficit from last year's rowing world championships.
New Zealand in March won the hosting rights for the 2015 Under-20 World Cup™, considered by Fifa the second most important event in world football behind the men's World Cup, but won't be able to do it without Government funding.
The bid team, led by New Zealand Football, estimated the tournament would cost $19.8m to stage, with $5.5m coming from Fifa, $8m from ticket revenue, $4m from the Government and the rest from local sponsorship. Organisers are presently reviewing those figures and expect them to rise to as much as $22m but are adopting a conservative estimate of projected income that is likely to overtake those costs.
"We are all aware of financial issues around major sporting events in New Zealand and the fact people have forecast outcomes and the outcomes don't happen, which means a lot of people get embarrassed," Under-20 World Cup™ interim project manager Peter O'Hara said.
"There's a keen drive to be conservative [in estimating revenue].
"All parties are nervous. There has been a lot of experience gained in recent times at sporting events that have made people sceptical and cautious about economic impact reports that project revenues. We all want to under-promise and over-deliver.
"I don't think the event will happen [if we don't get Government support] because Fifa, as part of all their age-group tournaments, look for Government support and the Government know that. I don't have any doubt they will support us."
The numbers are persuasive. Figures from the 2007 (Canada) and 2009 (Egypt) Under-20 World Cups suggest more than 450 million viewers globally will watch the event, more than this year's Rugby World Cup, which presents significant trade and tourism opportunities.
An economic impact report done by Covec has also projected $26m to flow into the New Zealand economy from overseas visitors.
It has not yet been established who will pick up the bill if the event falls short of budget expectations. Fifa underwrote the 2008 Under-17 Women's World Cup™ in New Zealand by $1m and could do the same for this one as well. Otherwise it could fall on NZF's shoulders.
"New Zealand Football does not want to be in that situation," O'Hara said.
The Ministry of Economic Development declined to comment on the application for assistance. A decision is expected from them in October.
Sparc have been helping NZF put together their application for Government money and CEO Peter Miskimmin said he hoped it was something the Government would support.
"This will be big for New Zealand and big globally," he said. "With these things, you can't assume anything [like Government funding] but it ticks all the right boxes. It's a great opportunity to showcase New Zealand to the world.
"It will be a large event for this country but it has the backing of Fifa and they will bring their expertise and money. Fifa are very confident New Zealand can deliver and want it here."
O'Hara last week wrote to 13 city councils inviting them to submit tenders to be host cities for the tournament. They are the same 13 originally selected for the Rugby World Cup - Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Napier, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill.
Six are likely to be successful - one for each of the six groups in the tournament - although organisers would consider eight if there were enough bids of sufficiently compelling quality.
A letter to the government of the day.
Kiaora. Tena koe te Rangatira, te Pirimia O Aotearoa me te Kawanatanga.
Aotearoa (New Zealand).The FIFA U-17 World Cup™ was held in New Zealand back in 1999, of which I am sure you and your government are aware of and also the success of our All Whites campaign in the FIFA 2010 World Cup™ tournament in South Africa.
FIFA U-17 World Championship New Zealand 1999
- Winner: Brazil
- Runners-Up: Australia
- Third: Ghana
- Fourth: USA
- Adidas Golden Ball Landon DONOVAN (USA)
- Adidas Golden Shoe Ismael ADDO (GHA)
- FIFA Fair Play Award Mexico
I was 15 years old at the time and one of the 25,000 spectators to watch this grand final and it was then that I fell in love with the Global Game called Football and commonly known here at home as, Soccer.
The player of the tournament Landon Donovan has gone on to be the most recognised and adept football player that the USA has produced and might I add he still has pace and currently is a team-mate (LA Galaxy) of another highly astute former Manchester United and Real Madrid recognised player in David Beckham.
"In the first season of the Wellington Phoenix football club, Terry Serepisos played a key role in getting English football legend David Beckham and his LA Galaxy team to play an exhibition game against the Wellington club of which in 2007 Terry Serepisos was the recipient of the Mercure Wellington Sports Personality of the Year award for his contribution to sport in Wellington in the year that had passed".
What is needed of course is a secure high level of political support as has been given to our national sport, Rugby, which their global tournament will commence in 3 months time. With the infrastructure already in place and some ongoing to completion for the Rugby World Cup™ insofar as stadia venues are concerned they are in place.
The economic benefits that our little nation really needs will be tremendous and the world governing body, FIFA, because of New Zealand's successful track record in holding previous FIFA World Cups has placed their faith again in our country to host the FIFA Under - 20 World Cup™ in 2015.
I totally concur and support the Under-20 World Cup interim project manager Peter O'Hara, when he says, "I don't think the event will happen [if we don't get Government support] because Fifa, as part of all their age-group tournaments, look for Government support and the Government know that. I don't have any doubt they will support us."
At this stage, I don't think that asking for $4m is a great amount especially when the return on that taxpayer investment will be humungus, if NZF develops positive media relationships to increase media coverage both domestically and internationally of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup™ tournament in 2015, to aid in showcasing what New Zealand has to offer football fans and tourists around the globe in Our Diverse Cultures, Our Long White Clouded Land, Our Hearts of Warmth and Kindness to all MANUHIRI (Visitors) to our shores.
I shall conclude Mr. Key with this...
Ko te AROHA ki nga TANGATA KATOA te tino waahi nui o to taatau whenua o AOTEAROA.
Love for one another and for all mankind is the most important element of 'Our Land' Aotearoa...'Land of the Long White Cloud' New Zealand.
AROHA
ARO is thought, life principle, to pay attention, to focus, to concentrate
RO is inner, within, introspection
HA is life force, breath, energy
OHA is generosity, prosperity, abundance, wealth"
Hei kona ra kia koe, te Pirimia o Aotearoa a John Key.
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