Martin Snedden: Rugby World Cup to boost earthquake-hit New Zealand
The Chief organiser of Rugby World Cup Martin Snedden finds Rugby World Cup as a booster for his country.
Rugby World Cup will attract more than 95,000 visitors from across the globe. A strong ticket selling is expected on the eve as huge crowd is expected to watch the action live.
RWC is kicking off on later this year in September and organizational work has been completed. Martin Snedden told the media that it was a great challenge for organizers to overcome the vacuum created by the deadly quake of February 22, 2011.
The second largest city of New Zealand and hub of rugby Christchurch, was hit by fatal quake twice in six months till February. The shake claimed the lives of as many as 190 people, over 160 missing and hundreds of houses were destroyed.
The terrible earthquake not only snatched the shelters from the inhabitants but it also deprived the people of Christchurch from all Rugby World Cup matches scheduled to be played at AMI stadium.
AMI stadium in Christchurch was set to host seven matches of world championship including two quarter finals. Later on the matches were shifted to some other venues as IRB was not satisfied with the condition of the venue after natural disaster.
The Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key took special interest in to the matter and he left no stone unturned to keep the matches there. In the PM along with millions of rugby lovers were left disappointed.
Snedden told the reporters told the reporters about the panic they faced. He said, “We have gone through a period of shock, we are still going through a period of grieving. We are quite tentative at the moment about outwardly celebrating too much. I think
what will happen as the year go on, is that people outside Christchurch will gradually get back to normal, and excitement will grow.”
The successful held of RWC would produce about NZ$700 million ($545 million) to their national income. Snedden said that the world championship would provide an opportunity for New Zealand to present itself as a great tourist destination.
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