From Chinese Press

China must not host World Cup

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-07-08 08:16

Some journalists have argued that China should host the Football World Cup. But none of the reasons they have cited would improve the life of ordinary people despite tens of billions of dollars taxpayers' money being spent in the quest of illusive prosperity, says an article in Chengdu Commercial Daily. Excerpts:

After South Africa failed to progress to the second round of the ongoing World Cup, some people excitingly claimed that the World Cup host need not necessarily have a strong soccer team.

Although it is illogical to say China qualifies as a World Cup host, it is easy to take advantage of football fans' passion for the game to promote China's candidature as a World Cup host.

The 2008 Beijing Games has failed to spread the Olympic spirit among the public or provide sports and other facilities for people to get regular exercise. The high cost of medicines and healthcare is still a big problem for most of the people in China.

The $50 billion or so required to host the World Cup can instead be used to solve more pressing livelihood problems of the people. Aren't the lessons of the Beijing Olympics and the Shanghai World Expo eloquent enough to persuade us to move away from playing host to such galas?

(China Daily 07/08/2010 page9)