First step on the road to The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 Ravenna/Italy

The build-up to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Ravenna 2011 began in earnest on Friday 18 February with the visit of an Italian delegation to the Home of FIFA in Zurich.

The delegation, headed by Local Organizing Committee (LOC) President and Italian FA (FIGC) vice-president Carlo Tavecchio, met FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke for a status meeting.

“We’d like to thank FIFA for recognizing our efforts in developing the sport of beach soccer. This World Cup is a unique opportunity to raise the international profile of Italy and the city of Ravenna as a sporting location and tourist destination,” commented Tavecchio.

“I’m very pleased about the choice of Italy, a country where the sea and a culture incorporating a tremendous passion for football are connected. That’s magnificent for beach soccer. Ravenna is the perfect venue for this tournament,” said FIFA President Blatter.

The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Ravenna 2011 will take place from 1-11 September. Ravenna, situated on the Adriatic coast, is the capital of the province of the same name.

By FIFA.com