Kevin Rudd to Jack Warner: “Australia’s bid is strong”

England’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd took time away from their busy CHOGM schedules to meet with FIFA Vice President Jack Warner in Trinidad today, to discuss the 2018 World Cup bid.

England-s Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd took time away from their busy CHOGM schedules to meet with FIFA Vice President Jack Warner in Trinidad today, to discuss the 2018 World Cup bid.

Both countries will be presenting bids to the FIFA Executive Committee to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cups.

A decision on the host country for the tournaments will be taken in December 2010.

Earlier this morning Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, less than an hour after arriving in Trinidad, held a meeting with FIFA Vice President Jack Warner at the residence of the Australian Ambassador in Cascade.

During discussions Warner inquired from Prime Minister Rudd about the development of the football in Australia.

Prime Minister Rudd responded “from Strength to strength”, he went on to add that FIFA must look at ways to expand the world globally and it is in this regard Australia may hold the key.

“We must look at innovative ways to grow the game and what better way to do it that in a region which is exploding”

Warner told the PM that the World Cup bid isn-t only about figures, but it is about a host nation-s social responsibility, its commitment to the world.

To that comment the charismatic leader responded “Australia is looking to expand its diplomatic footprint in the globe and we are using sport as a mechanism to do this.”

And it seems as though the Australian movement is serious about its commitment, Prime Minister Rudd explained that the country intends to expand the number of scholarships, including football scholarships being offered by the government globally

Prime Minster Rudd went on to expand on a number of initiatives his government has implemented in his country using sport as a mechanism to trigger social transformation.

Warner commended the Australian Prime Minister on his commitment to the 2018 bid.

“Mr. Prime Minister, I am impressed by your commitment and involvement in this process.-

Australia has successfully hosted a number of international sporting events including the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games. Its track record prompted Warner to say “Your country has demonstrated your ability to host World Class events in the past.”

PM Rudd thanked Warner for his compliment saying “ We have a strong bid and it will only get stronger”

Last week Warner told international media that Australia had a “good chance” of wining the bid.