Aya Sameshima (L) of Japan and Carli Lloyd of the U.S. fight for the ball as Sameshima's teammate Kyoko Yano looks on, during their women's friendly soccer match in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture, April 1, 2012.
Credits: REUTERS/Issei Kato
B.C. is getting behind the ball.
The province has announced that it is providing $2 million to help bring the largest women's sporting event in the world to B.C.
"FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 will provide a lift to the local economy and serve as a beacon for the thousands of young soccer players in B.C. to follow," Ida Chong, B.C.'s minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, said in a statement.
Vancouver is one of six cities vying to host soccer matches in the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015.
Edmonton, Montreal, Moncton, Ottawa and Winnipeg are the others Chong says that by "providing this level of support, payable if the city is selected as a host, the B.C. government is ensuring Vancouver meets the requirements of a host city."
The federal government will match all funding provided by the provinces.
Peter Montopoli, general secretary of the Canadian Soccer Association, said the games will be the largest women's event of any kind. 'It represents an incomparable opportunity for Canadian soccer fans across the country to engage and experience women's football at its best."
According to participation rates, soccer is the most popular sport in B.C.
