The Brazilian government "is spending €705.5M ($903M) to upgrade the security structure for the 2014 FIFA World Cup." The majority of the money, about €294M ($376.4M), "is used to upgrade and connect the 12 regional security centers in each of the 12 host cities as well as the two national centers in Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia." In addition, the government "wants to increase training for security forces, check points along its boarders and streets as well as buying equipment." The country's army, navy and air force "will see investments of €266M ($340.5M)" (FINANCIAL TIMES DEUTSCHLAND, 11/20). ... Russian organizers of the 2018 World Cup "have formally proposed four stadiums to host the 2017 Confederations Cup." FIFA said that the local organizing committee "wants St. Petersburg to host the opening match and final of the eight-team tournament." The city also will stage a World Cup semifinal in '18. Moscow, Kazan and 2014 Winter Olympics host Sochi "will stage Confederations Cup matches." Spartak Stadium in Moscow is proposed for the tournament. The city's larger Luzhniki Stadium "will host the World Cup opener, a semifinal and the final" (AP, 11/20).
EVENT SCHEDULING: The Int'l Cricket Council has postponed the announcement of the tournament schedule for the ICC Women's World Cup India 2013 that was scheduled to take place Tuesday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. A new date for the launch will be announced as soon as possible (ICC). ... Bulgaria and Italy have been awarded to host the men's 2015 CEV Volleyball European Championship. The joint candidature eventually edged the competition that was brought by Finland and Estonia, and the championship will take place in five venues: Varna, Plovdiv and Sofia in Bulgaria plus Messina and Catania in Italy. The Netherlands and Belgium will be the hosts of the women's 2015 CEV Volleyball European Championship. Venues of the event will be in Rotterdam (venue of the finals), Apeldoorn, Almere and Antwerp (CEV).
