Chorzów: thanks to the coordinators PDF Print
Thursday, 28 May 2009 15:30
Definitely, the efforts you put into the preparations will not be wasted. Investments in progress such as the modernization of the Silesian Stadium or modernization of tram lines and the construction of the A1 motorway will be continued and will benefit the inhabitants of the voivodeship”, Bogusław Śmigielski, Marshall of the Voivodeship, said.
During the meeting with local coordinators the Marshall thanked for commitment and effective work preparing the voivodeship for the Euro 2012 championships and the promotion of the candidature of the Silesian Stadium. The Marshall emphasized that UEFA's positive evaluation of the state of preparations in the Silesian Voivodeship can also be attributed to the coordinators.

On 13 May 2009 UEFA's Executive Committee made the final decision to appoint only four cities in Poland as host cities for the final tournament of UEFA EURO 2012TM omitting, among others, Chorzów with the Silesian Stadium. The decision was mostly affected by the fact that UEFA strove to maintain an equal number of host cities in Poland and Ukraine and that despite excellent preparation of six Polish cities in May 2009, it was Wrocław, Gdańsk, Poznań and Warszawa that were the four proposed cities which signed contracts with UEFA back in 2007 at the motion made by PZPN [the Polish Football Association].

We were very surprised to learn that the capital city of Polish football was not appointed as the host city, even the more so because over the past year the voivodeship's offering was highly rated by UEFA's experts. Moreover, when it comes to a few elements it was superior comparing to the offering of five other cities. "Unfortunately, such excellent preparation was the second most important factor in view of the original appointment of host cities in 2007.", Bogusław Śmigielski added.

The process of preparations allowed to promote the voivodeship and its assets. The Silesian Stadium will remain the region's asset after it is retrofitted - a modern, multi-functional, safe and football fans-friendly facility. Thanks to its construction, location and athletic track, it will become an excellent venue for hosting great sport, musical and cultural events.
"Over the past year the self-government authorities of the voivodeship performed Herculean work, unfortunately, it turned out that the cards had been dealt out a long time ago", said Rudolf Bugdoł, Deputy President of PZPN.
During the meeting the attendees discussed the nearest future of the Silesian Stadium. Rudolf Bugdoł admitted that the venue for the fall qualifying matches of the World Championships in the Republic of South Africa in 2010 has not been selected yet.

SOURCE: the Marshall Office of the Silesian