Australia PM Lobies for Football

Australia PM Lobies for Football

Two links the first photos of Kevin 747 & Obie Wan with SB

Second the smh link about the WC and Kevin 747 presentation..


Great to see such government support for Football..

First link photos

http://au.fourfourtwo.com/gallery/1346,kevin-rudd-meets-sepp-blatter-pic-special.aspx/35141

Second Link smh

http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/political-football-rudd-gives-cup-bid-a-kick-along/2009/07/08/1246732382607.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

Paola Totaro in Berlin and Michael Cockerill

July 9, 2009

PRIME MINISTER Kevin Rudd reinforced the argument that awarding the 2018 World Cup to Australia would help open up the game to a new frontier when he spent an hour with the FIFA president Sepp Blatter in Zurich on Wednesday.

Rudd made a brief diversion to Zurich on his way to Italy for the G8 talks to "pay respects" to Blatter and put in a good word for Australia to host the World Cup.

Billionaire Westfield boss Frank Lowy threw his support behind the visit, arriving in Berlin on Tuesday night then accompanying Rudd on his mission on behalf of Australian football fans.

Rudd took time out from his hectic European schedule to join FFA chairman Frank Lowy on a lightning visit to FIFA headquarters in Switzerland, where the 11 countries bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups are due to hold workshops later today.

While Australia has bid for both tournaments, both Rudd and Lowy stressed the focus remained on 2018, and Blatter is believed to have been impressed by the level of government support.

It is the second time Rudd has met Blatter, but the first time the FIFA president has seen the FFA's promotional video, which was unveiled when the bid was officially launched in Canberra last month.

The Prime Minister presented Blatter with a bottle of Grange Hermitage and in return was given a football. The two men and Lowy then had an impromptu kickaround.

There is expected to be ferocious competition to host the World Cup during the next few years, with heavyweights the United States, England and Russia throwing their hats in the ring. A decision on the hosts is not expected until late next year.

Rudd's and Lowy's first formal foray together on the bid comes as the sport gains momentum throughout Australia and the Socceroos steadily climb the world rankings, reaching their highest at 16th. For the first time too, the Socceroos will appear in successive finals.

The Australian presentation was warmly received by Blatter, who explained the process by which a decision would be reached.

Europe, especially England, remains the favoured destination for the 2018 World Cup, but Rudd and Lowy again argued that football's so-called "first world" was a saturated market, and taking the game's showpiece event to Australia would help open up a new market for football.

The Prime Minister made the point that Asia represented a huge opportunity for the growth of the game, and that Australia's location was an important factor to be considered.

An FFA spokesperson, who attended the meeting, said: "The Prime Minister argued for the growth of the game, and while we have bid for both 2018 and 2022, there's a genuine feeling that 2018 is very much achievable."

Rudd also highlighted Australia's strengths, including its strong record of hosting successful, large-scale, international events, including the Olympics, citing Australia's excellent facilities and strong sporting culture.

Lowy and Blatter had a private lunch after the meeting