Paraná May Host Foreign Teams During World Cup
After visiting seven cities in Paraná, the World Cup in Paraná Committee secretaries Mario Celso Cunha and Luiz de Carvalho, the latter responsible for Curitiba, concluded the evaluation of locations that could possibly play host to foreign national teams during the 2014 World Cup.
The evaluation activity is a requirement of FIFA, which mediates between the Brazilian authorities and national teams regarding the teams’ accommodations. Paranà will offer the international federation locations in Curitiba, Londrina, Cascavel, Foz do Iguaçu, Maringa, Paranavai, Paranaguá and Ponta Grossa. The City Council of Curitiba accompanied the committee at the invitation of Secretary Mario Celso Cunha.
On Monday, January 24, members of the World Cup Committee visited the sports facilities and hotels in Paranaguá, one of the cities that wants to host foreign teams during the World Cup. The idea is to use the Fernando Charbub Farah Sports Complex, which consists of a multi-use gymnasium, Olympic-sized swimming pool, and the “Gigante do Itibere” stadium. Referred to affectionately as the “Big Crab” by local residents, the football stadium has a capacity of 18,000 people and is close to local hotel facilities.
“The World Cup is an opportunity to attract investments and to enhance everyone’s lives, and we must seize it. Curitiba will host the games, but several cities may benefit. Paranaguá is one of them, with all its tourist potential and logistic importance for Paraná’s development,” said Councilman Pedro Paulo (PT), chair of the World Cup Committee. Councilmen João do Suco (PSDB), Roberto Hinca (PDT), Juliao Sobota (PSC) and Zezinho do Sabara (PSB) also participated in the visit.
The World Cup Secretary Mario Celso Cunha and Evandro Roman, State Secretary of Sports, while in technical inspection at the “Big Crab”, the football stadium in Paranaguá.
During the meeting, Paranaguá Town Hall reported improvements to the stadium, public work for the construction of a new municipal market, landscaping on the banks of the River Itibere, and the possibility of a new port terminal dedicated to passenger traffic, with capacity for three cruise ships. “We are seeking funding for this project, which is easy to carry out and will cost R$ 120 million. Construction could be completed within 15 months. The rest would be done through partnerships with the private sector,” said the deputy mayor, Fabiano Elias. The idea appealed to the Curitibano legislators, who invited Deputy Mayor Elias to show his plans to the City Council in February.
Mario Celso Cunha explained to those present that FIFA has asked Brazil for a list of 90 locations that are able to host and provide training facilities for a national squad for the entire 45 days of the event. “We will recommend the locations, which will then be analysed by FIFA. Those of most interest will be evaluated by experts from the international federation in a further visit to the localities. FIFA will then present those chosen to the national teams, who will make the final choice according to their own preferences.” The secretary believes that Paraná could end up with eight recommendations in FIFA’s final report.
“Some squads like to train on open fields, others prefer more secluded places, away from the competition atmosphere that prevails in the cities hosting the official games,” said the State Secretary of Sports, Evandro Roman, who also accompanied the visitors. Mario Celso assessed that Paraná may even host football teams that will be competing in other states.
