By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
March 31 – Ian Riley (pictured), the technical director of England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, has laid out what they need to do for its campaign to be successful ahead of other rivals like Russia and Australia.
He said: ”The bid has to be so strong on all fronts – such as facilities, stadia, transport, IT, medical services, broadcasting and accommodation – that your country will provide for the efficient running of the competition.
“It is also important for the bid to nurture good relations with the football family in general.
“It is especially vital to outline clearly the intentions of your bid with the members of FIFA’s Executive Committee.”
Riley is currently preparing England’s bid book to be presented to FIFA by May 14.
The book is the centrepiece of England’s campaign and lists all the details that the bid will be judged on, including the stadium, transport and financial plans.
Riley wrote the bid book for South Africa’s successful bid to host the 2010 World Cup and was hired by England 2018 in February 2009 after applying to an advert in the Sunday Times.
In an interview published in The Times in Johannesburg, Riley recalled the moment in 2003 when South African were chosen to host the tournament.
He said: ”The day when we walked proudly with Nelson Mandela into the hall in Zurich for the announcement of the 2010 World Cup host winning bid was a special moment, absolutely priceless.
“We were nervous, but confident we had prepared a strong bid. I just cannot forget the exhilaration on his face after the winner was made known, and what that announcement did for South Africa.”
Riley, who also ran the 1996 African Cup of Nations in South Africa, is inspired by the prospect of helping put together another successful bid.
He said: ”Recently I have been more in the office as we are getting the bid book ready for submission in May.
“Before that I spent a lot of time on site in the different cities, getting them ready for the final selection process.
“It was like having breakfast in Cape Town, lunch in Port Elizabeth and dinner in Durban over and over again.
“Now, it is more about fine-tuning all the undertakings we have made in the bid book.”
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