Construction on the World Cup stadiums is 90% complete.

Fernanda Cruz
Reporter from Agência Brasil

São Paulo – The Minister of Sport, Aldo Rebelo, informed this Tuesday (15) that, among the 12 host cities of the 2014 World Cup, six have not completed the construction of their stadiums: Cuiabá, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Manaus, Natal and São Paulo. However, the stage of the works is quite advanced. "All have around 90% of the works completed. So, this gives us the assurance that we will meet the deadline. They all guarantee delivery by December," he said.

The minister countered criticism about delays in the delivery of infrastructure, such as transportation, in municipalities that will host the competition. He cited the Confederations Cup, which, even with the protests, did not delay any games. "In a country the size of Brazil, we are going to have problems. One thing or another may be delayed, but we are going to hold the World Cup and the Olympics," he declared.

Aldo Rebelo participated this morning in the announcement of the release of funds for the installation of a Sports Initiation Center in the city of Mauá, Greater São Paulo. The center, which will require an investment of R$ 2 to R$ 3 million, will have an official court and areas for practicing gymnastics, judo, fencing, boxing, and other sports. The facility will have the capacity to serve 3 people per week, including children and adults.

Over the next two years, the ministry plans to deliver 250 centers. According to the minister, the complexes are geared towards both initiation into high-performance sports and leisure, social inclusion, educational use, and activities for senior citizens. The criteria for choosing the cities that will receive the centers take into account the poverty index, service to the low-income population, the Human Development Index, and the requirement that the municipality be part of a metropolitan region.

Edited by: Beto Coura