FLORIANOPOLIS: The special committee which was instigated by Brazil’s Ministry of Sports following an emergency meeting on 21 January 2014, consisting of representatives of Atletico Paranaense, the state of Parana and the city of Curitiba, has managed in recent weeks to develop a comprehensive recovery plan which includes the solving of the financial challenges involved.

Through this collective approach, the committee achieved the implementation of immediate action for propelling the progress necessary in the works at the Arena da Baixada. Based on the financial guarantees now provided by the local authorities and Atletico Paranaense for the stadium works including the complementary structures, as well as the latest assessment from the technical experts of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), FIFA and the federal government, Curitiba was reconfirmed today as a venue of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

“It is essential that the works are maintained at the required levels and that a collective effort by all the stakeholders involved in Curitiba continues. It a race against a very tight timeline and will require regular monitoring, but we are counting on the commitment made by the Atletico Paranaense, the city and the state of Curitiba,” explained FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke.

The works at the Arena da Baixada will thus intensify, with a minimum of 1,500 workers on-site, to a level where the completion can certainly be envisaged for mid-May.

“We are very pleased that the agreed-on three measures plan is working out and that all parties involved in Curitiba are now working inone rhythm and in the right direction. It is great to see the significant progress made since our last visit. It’s a city which lives and breathes football,” said Luis Fernandes, Brazil’s Deputy Sports Minister and the executive coordinator within the government for the FIFA World Cup.

“There is still a lot to be done but we have always been confident that Curitiba will deliver. The necessary measures to finish the stadium in time for proper testing are implemented, but close monitoring is key because we have no time to lose. Soon it will be time to look forward and plan for the test events and finish operational details for the competition,” said Ricardo Trade, CEO of the LOC.

The city confirmed that the tender for the complementary structures was launched this Tuesday 18 February 2014, which again is another important milestone towards a successful staging of the FIFA World Cup in Curitiba.