The Tahitian Football Federation (FTF) is proud to announce that it has officially entered the bidding process to host the 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to be held 15-25 September 2011 in Tahiti’s capital Papeete.

With the FTF declaration of interest sent on 3 August, the Federation is now preparing to make a report on the progress of its bid as the first step of the FIFA bidding process has been completed.

FTF and Oceania Football Confederation President Reynald Temarii is delighted to be backing such a unique and the original bid.

“Since the very beginning of FIFA back in 1904 there has never been an official World Cup held on a Pacific Island, so I am very excited about this strong Beach Soccer hosting bid.”

“Tahiti Football Federation has substantial experience organising and running quality Beach Soccer Championships and I am confident we have assembled a world class Local Organising Committee (LOC).”

“I believe the welcoming climate of Tahiti and picturesque setting of the Place Toata’a Beach Soccer stadium in Papeete will be the perfect natural environment for such an exciting event,” says Temarii.

FIFA has never organised and held a World Cup on a Pacific Island. Yet the opportunity has been given to every Member Association to bid for such an event.  The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup is within Tahiti’s reach with FIFA’s stadium capacity requirements suitable to existing infrastructures.

The time has now come for Tahiti to demonstrate its suitability for the hosting challenge. 

Furthermore, the FTF candidature is not only unanimously supported by the Member Associations of the Oceania Football Confederation but it has already received the full support of the Government of French Polynesia, the French state, and the potential host city of Papeete, the capital of Tahiti.

“It is my privilege to fully support this exciting bid” said Mr Oscar Temaru the President of French Polynesia.

According to Temaru, and further to the obvious economic benefits and outstanding exposure worldwide for the welcoming islands of French Polynesia, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 will give French Polynesia the opportunity to realise at least two crucial goals;

– Firstly, the event will first help back-up national efforts to raise widespread awareness on environmental issues and sustainable development.

– Secondly, the fundamental values of Beach Soccer such as fair play, effort, discipline and mutual competitiveness will go hand-in-hand with implementing educational workshop and campaigns. 

All the local stakeholders will join together to make this World Cup a fabulous experience for the participants, for the Oceania Football family, and for Tahiti as a whole.

As a result, Tahiti is committed to providing significant logistical, human and financial resources. Its financial assistance alone will amount to 245 Million XPF ($4,224 million NZD).

In compliance with local regulations and laws, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has been officially organised and registered.

Pure Nena, as President of the LOC, says his team will put in thorough and determined effort to make their bid as enticing as possible.  

“We will dedicate every effort to make the (potentially) first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to be organised in the Pacific Rim the most successful and unforgettable competition Beach Soccer completion to-date says Nena.

Nena will have thorough support from the following LOC team, directed by Noëlline Parker:

Media and Marketing Director: Hinatea Ahnne

Accounting Director: Victor Sienne

Logistics Director: Billy Vaitoare

Competition Director: Fabrice Marchand

Human Resources Director: Arnaud Dumont

Courtesy of TFT Media