UK's Conservatives plan 550 mln pound boost for grassroots soccer
ByReuters
Published 06/12/2019 at 22:32 GMT
LONDON, Dec 6 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives said on Friday they planned to invest 550 million pounds ($706 million) in grassroots soccer as part of plans for a bid to host the 2030 World Cup if they win next week's election.
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The Conservatives are leading the opposition Labour Party in opinion polls before the Dec. 12 vote, but it is not clear whether they will be far enough ahead to secure a majority in parliament.
The party said that the investment was part of a 2 billion pound plan to ensure that by the time of the 2030 World Cup, every family in England would on average be 15 minutes from a local football pitch. The money will also be used to support growth in women's football.
"If elected next week with a Conservative majority, I as Prime Minister will put my heart and soul behind the case for a UK and Ireland World Cup in 2030," Johnson, who was mayor of London at the time of the 2012 Olympics, said in a statement.
"I want this tournament to be about more than just football. I want it to transform lives with a legacy to match the 2012 Olympics." ($1 = 0.7794 pounds) (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Toby Chopra)
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