BRASILIA: Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo has tallied up his efforts to keep track of Brazil’s much-criticised preparations to host the 2014 World Cup.

Rebelo took over from scandal-engulfed Orlando Silva eight months ago and, since then, has made 21 visits to the various stadia selected to host the finals by the local organising authority and world federation FIFA.

He has insisted that Brazil will be ready to welcome the world despite the doubts and criticisms evinced by FIFA president Sepp Blatter and secretary-general Jerome Valcke, FIFA’s World Cup progress-chaser-in-chief.

= = = =