By Andrew Warshaw
January 24 – As the 500-day countdown approaches for the 2014 World Cup, Brazilian sports minister Aldo Rebelo (pictured) has promised the country will deliver a tournament to be proud of despite persistent concerns over security, travel and infrastucture.
Brazil, he said, will “open its arms to the world” not just for the World Cup but also next summer’s Confederations Cup and the summer Olympics in 2016.
Rebelo spoke to reporters about a whole range of issues and promised that airports would provide double the capacity needed, hotel rooms would be plentiful and that enthusiasm was already building.
“It’s not just practical work,” he said. “We are offering emotional capital as well, a welcome to the world that is not just material but spiritual in nature – a chance for Brazil to welcome the world with open arms.”
Rebelo stressed that host cities always had major issues to contend with. “We are making efforts to make things much more comfortable than they are today,” Rebelo said.
Addressing fears over safety – Brazil has a high crime rate – Rebelo pledged no stone would be left unturned to help fans “enjoy the maximum level of safety during the events. We will seek to work with federal and state security agencies, so all people – not just tourists – can be safe.”
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