New Zealand PM keen to host rugby World Cup games in Christchurch
March 8th, 2011 - 6:22 pm ICT by ANI
Christchurch, Mar 8(ANI): New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has said that he is keen to host rugby World Cup games in quake-devastated Christchurch.
Christchurch’s AMI Stadium is scheduled to host seven games of the tournament, which will be held from September 9 to October 23, but Key admits that the decision rests ultimately with the International Rugby Board (IRB).
“I think the biggest issue, ultimately, is the stadium. We know that there’s some damage to the Deans Stand, some damage to the Hadlee Stand, there’s liquefaction outside, and the turf has significant liquefaction damage, which means it needs to be rebuilt and that will take quite a number of months,” Stuff.co.nz quoted Key, as saying.
“In the end if we can get a stadium that operates, and that everyone is comfortable with then, yes, we need to deal with accommodation and we need to deal with bars and restaurants and the like. But I think we can address those issues. We won’t have a clear answer for a few weeks, but we are getting closer,” he added.
Authorities have predicted that it will take months to get essential services back to normal after last month’s 6.3 magnitude earthquake, which destroyed parts of the city and left up to 240 people feared dead.
It is estimated that Christchurch could lose around 50 million dollars if the games are moved from the city (ANI)
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Tags: 50 million, accommodation, ami, authorities, essential services, international rugby board, john key, magnitude earthquake, million dollars, new zealand, prime minister john, quake, restaurants, september 9, seven games, turf, world cup games