MOSCOW, October 28 (RIA Novosti) — Russia has all necessary resources for World Cup 2018 despite all economic problems, but its assets have to be used wisely during the organizing process, the country's President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.
“We have to be hospitable hosts, but at the same time assiduous hosts. Money has to be used sparingly, thriftily. Yes, definitely, we have resources despite all economic problems, and world’s known difficulties, turbulent times in our economy,” Putin said at the supervisory board of the organizing committee for the Russia-2018 meeting.
Russia’s leader added that preparation is underway and "it is clear what needs to be done in what period of time.”
Putin stated that in many Russia’s regions the preparation for the World Cup is just beginning, and although work is going to be hard, President expressed hope that it is going to lead to positive results.
“As a positive result we would consider perfect preparation for the World Cup to make a holiday for our fans, for fans and football lovers across the globe,” Putin said.
Hosting World Cup in Russia should push the country toward the development of mass sport in general, and football in particular.
Russia was awarded the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup on December 2, 2010. The championship will be hosted by 11 Russian cities, namely Moscow, Ekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Saransk, Sochi, St. Petersburg, and Volgograd. The tournament will involve 32 national teams, including that of the host nation.
