By Andrew Warshaw
January 31 – Poland is hoping it can buck the trend of European countries being plunged into economic crisis by using this summer’s European Championships to its advantage.
A million tourists are expected to pour into the country for the tournament which Poland is sharing with Ukraine and the Poles, often denounced for fan violence, want to make it an occasion to remember and rectify some misconceptions.
“The Championship is a fantastic opportunity to build up our image, as abroad it is often still far from true,” the country’s Sports Minister Joanna Mucha (pictured) said.
“I can only say – come over.
“You will be really surprised by what we managed to accomplish over these 20-plus years.”
Over the weekend Poland’s National Stadium opened in Warsaw, albeit eight months late, and the host cities of Gdansk and Wroclaw also have new venues, with Poznan’s undergoing a thorough upgrade.
“Direct revenue related to hosting Euro 2012 never covers the costs calculated together with infrastructural investments,” Mucha told Reuters.
“But Euro 2012 is a gargantuan civilisational jump for Poland.”
She admitted that security would be a major challenge.
“Poland has never had such a complex logistical event up to date,” Mucha explained.
“We have to be well prepared and it’s not that much about riots, which in fact are quite easy to control.
“I mostly fear various events happening at the same time, including ones completely unrelated to the games.”
Once the tournament is over, efforts would be made, Mucha said, to dismiss Polish Football Association (PZPN) chief Grzegorz Lato (pictured), one of the country’s greatest players.
Lato’s federation has constantly been accused of corruption but nothing would be done to disrupt the Euros, said Mucha.
FIFA bans Government interference in the affairs of football associations but Mucha said: “Negative emotions towards PZPN are so strong now that there is a wide-ranging expectation of change, not only from the society but also within the sports structures themselves.
“I will start dealing with sports itself only in the autumn.”
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