An inspection team from the International World Games Association (IWGA) has visited the Chinese city Chengdu last week. The city has submitted a bid to organise The World Games in 2025.
On 13 March, IWGA Vice President Max Bishop and CEO Joachim Gossow arrived in Chengdu and started their two-day inspection and evaluation of Chengdu as The World Games 2025 candidature city. They were accompanied by the Vice President of IOC and Chinese Olympic Committee, Mr. Yu Zaiqing. Chengdu Standing Committee member and Standing Deputy Mayor, Mr. Xie Ruiwu and Deputy Mayor, Mr. Niu Qingbao also attended the inspection and the meetings. The Chinese Olympic Committee strongly supports the Chengdu bid.
During the two-day inspection, Bishop and Gossow listened to the presentations of the Chengdu bidding team and visited the Chengdu Planning Exhibition Hall and the China Europe Centre. They visited the proposed competition venues and had some deep discussions with the Chengdu team on issues regarding the sports programme. Chengdu promises to provide the best possible World Games in 2025 and to deliver enjoyment to every participant. Furthermore, the Games will be conducted with adherence to the principles of green and environmental protection.
The IWGA officials fully affirmed Chengdu’s bidding effort, and said they highly appreciated the environment of Chengdu. The IWGA Vice President Max Bishop said:
– Chengdu’s environmental protection concept can perfectly match IWGA’s philosophy. Meanwhile, the bidding team of Chengdu has been well prepared, and the high-quality bidding document is really good. After the inspection, we believe that Chengdu is capable of successfully hosting The World Games. I feel that Chengdu is a very modern city with a good sense of space and convenient transportation. It is one of the most liveable cities in the world. I hope I can come here again as a traveller and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Chengdu.
Joachim Gossow stated that after the inspection, he strongly believed that Chengdu has basically satisfied the bidding requirements:
– Chengdu is an international metropolis, and hosting The World Games will bring more international elements here. Chengdu’s hardware and software conditions are already very good, and the next thing in the planning work is to create a great atmosphere for the event, he said.
– Floorball is one of the sports on the programme of the World Games 2021 in Birmingham and for IFF and floorball the Chinese city Chengdu, would serve very well with the fast growth of floorball in China and the target to strongly develop the sport in China and Asia in general, IFF Secretary General Mr. John Liljelund comments.
On 9 May, the IWGA will hold its Annual General Meeting in Gold Coast, Australia. After receiving the reports from Bishop and Gossow, the Executive Board will evaluate the bid and give their recommendations to the Meeting, which has to ratify the decision. The identity of the host city for The World Games 2025 will be unveiled after the meeting.
The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee. The 11th edition of The World Games will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 15-25 July 2021. 3,600 athletes from over 30 sports and 100 countries will take part in the Games. Floorball is one of the sports on the programme.
Source: The World Games
