Brazil's Sports Minister To Resign Before World Cup To Run For Office

Brazil Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo "is to stand down in December just six months before the country hosts the World Cup," according to Andrew Downie of REUTERS. Rebelo said that he "would make way for someone new" after delivering the 12 stadiums to be used in the tournament, all of which "are due to be ready by December." Rebelo said that he was resigning "to run for office in next October's elections" (REUTERS, 10/17). The MERCO PRESS reported Rebelo, of the Communist Party, "has played a key role in the organization of the sporting jamboree." Rebelo insisted that his decision to concentrate on his state governorship ambitions "would not hit World Cup preparations." Rebelo: "It would be very much to overestimate my function and role. This is the 20th World Cup -- the other 19 took place without my participation" (MERCO PRESS, 10/17).