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GOVERNMENT SUPPORT BID FOR VOLVO OCEAN RACE 2010
LET’S DO IT GLOBAL WELCOMES GOVERNMENT DECISION TO SUPPORT IRELAND’S BID TO HOST THE VOLVO OCEAN RACE IN 2012
Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism has announced (Tuesday 2 February 2010) that the Government has committed €4 million in support of Let’s Do it Global’s (LDIG) bid to host a port stopover in the forthcoming Volvo Ocean Race 2011–12.
The support is based on the value to tourism and the economic impact of the very successful 2009 event which delivered €55.8m economic impact on Galway and Ireland and which saw over 650,000 visits to Galway.
In accepting the support, Enda O’Coineen, Chairman, LDIG stated ‘This is the first step in a process, and further funding will have to be sourced from the private sector to secure the event. We thank the Government for their vision in committing €4 million in these difficult times. The bid has not been won at this stage but this solid commitment gives us the basis to work with the people of Galway and the private sector in achieving our goal.’
John Killeen, President, LDIG added: ‘In particular we would like to thank Minister Eamon O’Cuiv T.D. and Minister Martin Cullen T.D. and the Government for supporting the bid. It is strong initiatives like this that will bring strong return on investment and show through major sporting events that Ireland means business”
For LDIG the bid process started last year and final submissions for the European stopover were submitted in December 2009. Over 32 ports originally made submissions and now Galway has been shortlisted, however it is understood that given the success of the last event and now with the Government support, Ireland is well positioned.
A final decision on the bid is expected in March.
About Let’s do it Global
Let’s Do It Global was formed in 2007 as a not-for-profit entity with three operational companies, Let’s Do it Galway Ltd. Let’s Do It Green Ltd and Shamrock Challenger Ltd.
With a broad vision and mission the initial core focus of Lets Do It Global Ltd was
1) Manage a team entry from Ireland in the Volvo Ocean Race
2) Bring the event to Ireland and Galway
3) Build a long term legacy through a youth and developing infrastructure.
About Volvo Ocean Race
The 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race will start in Alicante, Spain, in the autumn of 2011 and is the world’s premier yacht race for professional racing crews.
The first race left England in September 1973 and was originally known as The Whitbread Round the World Race and was a name conceived over a pint of beer more than 30 years ago. The event has run every four years since.
The stopover selection process is underway, and ports will be announced as they are confirmed.