THE UK has Prince William, the USA has Bill Clinton and today Football Federation Australia unveiled the Governor General as their secret weapon dignitary to lead the World Cup 2022 bid.
Quentin Bryce, who is the patron of women’s football in Australia, will also play a role in Australia’s final presentation to be delivered before the FIFA Executive Committee on December 1.
“I am honoured to be leading such an important delegation which is on a mission that could have tremendous benefits for the entire nation,” Ms Bryce said.
“We will be presenting a very strong case for Australia to FIFA on how we could hold a fantastic 2022 FIFA World Cup in our beautiful and friendly country.”
FFA Chairman Frank Lowy said they were delighted the Governor General had agreed to lead the delegation.
“FFA is extremely honoured that our country’s head of state will lead our delegation of proud and distinguished Australians hoping to secure the biggest sporting event in the world for Australia,” Mr Lowy said.
“The Governor-General’s presence is bound to impress our friends at FIFA and her Excellency’s participation in the final presentation is a major boost to our campaign at such a crucial stage.
“We have enjoyed unequivocal Government support at every stage of this amazing journey and to be able to produce an Australian Government representative of the stature of the Governor-General at this time is a great coup.”
Other presenters will include Lowy and FFA CEO Ben Buckley. The delegation will also include Federal Sports Minister Mark Arbib who will also be representing the Government.
“The Sports Minister has been a great supporter of the bid and has been working tirelessly behind the scenes,” Mr Buckley said.
Each bidding nation is given 30 minutes to present to the FIFA Executive Committee before they vote to decide the hosting nations and Australia’s final presentation will be directed by award-winning director Phillip Noyce who will also be part of the delegation in Zurich.
Australia will be the first nation to make a final presentation to the FIFA Executive Committee before it decides the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.
Australia has been drawn to present at 14.00 CET (Midnight AEDT) in Zurich at the Home Of FIFA on December 1 and will be streamed live on www.fifa.com
Australia’s final presentation concept includes live speeches from the Governor-General, Mr Lowy and Mr Buckley.
A short film has been produced highlighting famous Australians in iconic Australian locations as part of the final presentation, also directed by Noyce.
The final decision on the host nations for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups will be announced on December 2 from 4pm CET (2am AEDT December 3) and will be broadcast live on Foxsports, SBS, One HD and ABC 24.
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