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Federal Minister of the Interior Schily: The FIFA World Cup Gala can only realise its full potential in Berlin’s Olympic stadium
Friday, October 7, 2005
Federal Minister of the Interior, Otto Schily welcomed the decision of the World Football Association FIFA to hold the World Cup Gala in Berlin’s Olympic stadium, at the start of the FIFA World Cup in Germany on the 7 June. "Such a major event like the FIFA World Cup Gala can only realise its full potential in the olympic stadium of the German capital", said Schily.
After doubts had arisen regarding the feasibility of replacing the turf before the first group match, FIFA president Joseph Blatter, Sports Minister Schily, president of the Organising Committee, Franz Beckenbauer and the artistic director of the gala, André Heller had agreed on the new date for the gala and the shifting of the first Berlin game to 13 June.
With the first official opening celebrations of the FIFA World Cup of this kind in the form of a World Cup Gala, FIFA is taking up an idea from Minister Schily, which will shape the image of World Cup tournaments in the future "With the World Cup Gala in Berlin we are establishing a tradition, because FIFA also decided to celebrate such an opening gala also in the coming championships", declared Schily. "This impressive football gala in Berlin will be one of the most brilliant events in connection with sport that we have ever experienced. André Heller brings the best of the best together".
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