Gladys Berejikliangetty images
Ten World Cups in 10 years to generate A$1B ($760M) for the New South Wales economy is the "ambitious plan" launched on Sunday by Premier Gladys Berejiklian as she announced a "new assault on securing mega-tourism and sporting dollars for the state," according to Rose Brennan of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. An advisory committee -- led by the man who brought the Olympics to Sydney -- was appointed to "spearhead aggressive bidding for some of the biggest sporting events in the world." Bids will be made for World Cups in multiple sports in the next decade, including the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup, Netball World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The government also wants to secure Sydney as the home of the ATP Tennis World Cup from '20-30, which would generate an estimated A$167M ($124M) in visitor spending. Rod McGeoch, who secured the 2000 Olympics for Sydney, will "lead the push for the major events" -- which will be supported by the new stadium infrastructure. Berejiklian said, "The benefits are not just for sports fans being able to see the best in the world, but for jobs and the economy as well." Sports Minister Stuart Ayres said that the government's investment in sporting infrastructure is "vital to ensuring NSW is a legitimate contender for the events." The A$729M ($541M) Allianz Stadium rebuild will be completed in '22, while the A$810M ($601M) revamp of 70,000-seat ANZ Stadium will be finished in '21. Ayres said, "Investing in renewing our sporting infrastructure puts us in a position to attract a wide range of events to satisfy all sports enthusiasts" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 7/22).
