SUNDERLAND officially launched its bid yesterday to become a host city for the 2018 World Cup if the tournament is awarded to England.
The bid was fronted by Sunderland Football Club chairman Niall Quinn and council leader Paul Watson who spoke of the massive boost its success would bring not just to the city, but to the region as a whole.
Councillor Watson said: As the worlds largest sporting event, the economic benefits and international profile that a successful bid would bring to Sunderland and the wider region, both during the competition and in the years leading up to the event, would be immense.
As well as generating millions for the local economy it would offer a window to the world through the global TV audience. Viewing figures at the last World Cup totaled around 6 billion, an average of 93 million a match.
While the Sunderland bid was launched separately to Newcastle, they offered an olive branch to their near neighbours, seeing the two cities as being possible partners rather than rivals.
Quinn said: We hope that maybe Newcastle will get it as well and it will be an even bigger festival of football for the region. In all, 15 cities up and down the country are expected to compete for 10 venues with those taking part having to submit an outline plan by July 8. After an FA visit to each city on July 14 the final bid must be handed in by November.
The former Ireland international knows first hand what the World Cup means to the host country having played at Italia 90 and South Korea/Japan in 2002. He also travelled to the US in 1994 with the Ireland team but didnt play because of injury.
He said: Japan/Korea was one of the most memorable experiences in my lifetime, the way the people showed their heart and passion and love of their country. Weve got a chance to do that and put Sunderland on the map.
Councillor Watson said he was old enough to remember when Sunderland last hosted World Cup games in 1966 including a quarter-final match between the Soviet Union and Hungary.
