SANTIAGO, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) on Tuesday formally thanked Chile for its support in organizing the World Cup for women under 20, due in Chile in November. "We are very happy with the investment made by the Chilean government and how they have boosted the sport. We are very happy both with the work of the government and the Chilean soccer federation," FIFA official Chuck Blazer said after receiving a formal welcome from Chile's president, Michelle Bachelet, at Chilean seat of government, the La Moneda Palace. Blazer is leading a FIFA team that is inspecting the sports facilities to be used for the Cup. He said he was also pleased with the commitment shown by the Chilean government and said he was sure that when the committee returns to Chile in October, they would be proud of the results. The head of the Chilean Football Federation, Harold Mayne Nicholls, told media that the facilities will be ready in September and would be handed over by the public works minister. This week, the FIFA committee will review facilities in the cities of Chillan, Temuco and Coquimbo; and in the town of La Florida, all to the south of Chile's capital, Santiago.
|