Sepp Blatter satisfied with recovery work in Japan
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has expressed satisfaction with the current recovery work in Japan after the country suffered badly following recent earthquakes and the tsunami. Blatter opined that the country could host the 2019 Women’s World Cup if the progress
remains steady.
Japan recently suffered from disastrous earthquakes and a tsunami, causing massive destruction in the country. Most of the football stadiums were damaged badly and the future of sports looked bleak for some time before Fifa intervened.
The president was talking on his visit to Japan where he watched two youth clubs locking heads on an artificial pitch. The pitch was created with combined efforts from the Japanese Football Association and FIFA.
While talking to reporters after the game, Blatter expressed delight with the speedy recovery work being conducted in the country. He reserved applause for the Japanese association and the government on giving proper attention to the sports and hoped to
see all work completed before the 2012 Club World Cup that commences next year.
Blatter also advised the federation to design new stadiums for the next year’s Club World Cup in order to improve the future of sport in the country. He also assured the federation of continuous help in the future.
"This year we had to use the two cities [Toyota Stadium in Nagoya and Nissan Stadium in Yokohama], but next year is wide open. I'm sure that working with the local organizing committee, we'll find a solution." Blatter said.
The president was also confident that Japan would be ready in time to host the 2019 Women’s FIFA World Cup if the recovery process continues in the same manner.
"The Women's World Cup [was first] played in China [in 1989], and it hasn't been back to Asia since. Now you have the world champions and while the next one has already been given to Canada in 2015, it's open [after then] and we should come back to Asia
with the women's championship." Blatter concluded.
The 75-year-old also expressed support towards the players and their affected families, assuring them of support as long as necessary.
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