By Yi Whan-woo
Korea Times intern
FIFA delegation for the bid to host the World Cup in 2022 Sunday praised South Korea’s efforts to contribute to the world peace by holding the tournament.
Chief delegate Harold Mayne-Nicholls emphasized the most notable fact he discovered regarding the nation’s effort to host the football gala is based on world peace.
“I confirmed that Seoul’s endeavor is to deliver what today’s world needs most ― 'peace for men,’” the Chilean head said.
The five-member team completed its inspection Sunday, after a four-day visit with focus on related infrastructure and facilities and meetings with relevant authorities including President Lee Myung-bak.
"The delegates examined the preparation process with scrutiny and objectivity,” Chairman Han Sung-joo of the Bid Committee said.
“I believe the FIFA officials have obtained a satisfactory response from us, and hope such information will help in producing a fair and precise proposal,” Han added.
Seoul’s Bid Committee was eager to show the nation’s enthusiasm for the sport at Seoul Plaza by emphasizing its importance as a landmark since the 2002 World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.
As the delegation took note of the longing of the fans, the inspectors also paid attention to whether Seoul Plaza met the conditions to hold the “Fan Fest.” The term refers to an outdoor stage that is equipped with safety barricades, space to host up to 50,000 spectators, and screen games free of charge.
The delegation headed to the Seoul World Cup Stadium next, the venue that hosted the tournament opener in 2002.
The Chilean committee head examined the condition of the turf, control center, locker rooms, press room, and media facilities, and mentioned that the bid committee would need more seats to be added to meet the requirements of the football governing body. The stadium can hold up to 65,000 spectators, while the FIFA rules require a capacity of over 80,000. The bid committee currently plans to extend the stadium to accommodate 83,500.
The inspectors also visited the National Football Center in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on Friday. The training site equipped with two fine pitches looked satisfactory but reportedly needs to work on maintaining its stands.
Next the five-member team headed down to Ulsan on Saturday, a city in the south-eastern part of the nation. The FIFA officials’ main interest was in Munsu Cup Stadium which hosted World Cup matches in 2002 and its tourism infrastructure. The home of the K-League’s Ulsan Tigers hosted two group matches and a quarterfinal. The delegation was concerned about how the city government runs the venue.
South Korea is making its second attempt to host the World Cup. The nation is trying to be the sole host of the tournament, as is Japan.
Australia and Qatar are also competing, while bids from Belgium and the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal, England, Russia, and the United States have been made for both the 2018 and the 2022 finals.
2018 World Cup will likely be held in Europe, and Asia is the likely destination for the following tournament, as FIFA does not let one continent host the event consecutively. A possible bid from China for the 2026 tournament would complicate the matter for its Asian neighbors.
FIFA will decide the host nations of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup on Dec. 2 in Switzerland.