FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 about to kick-off
Vannes hosting two matches on opening day
LOC and FIFA host the tournament’s official launch
As the 16 participating nations at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 made their final preparations for the tournament, which kicks off on Sunday 5 August, FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) came together on the esplanade in the port of Vannes on Saturday for the competition’s official launch.
Attending the event and offering a warm welcome to the fans were Sarai Bareman, FIFA’s chief women’s football officer; Brigitte Henriques, delegated vice-president of the French Football Federation (FFF) and vice-president of the LOC; former France international Laura Georges; and Michel Gillet, deputy secretary of sport, Vannes Town Council.
Sarai Bareman, FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer It’s an honour to be here. I would like to thank Vannes Town Council for the superb job they have done here on the esplanade and in the town itself. The atmosphere is amazing. It’s great that this tournament is being organised here in this region [Brittany]. And the timing is perfect after France’s win in Russia. I would like to thank the people of Vannes for all the support they are giving to this event. The town is doing so much for football, sport in general, and for women and young girls in sport, which means an awful lot to us.
Brigitte Henriques, Vice-President of the LOC It is wonderful to be in Vannes on the eve of the tournament. We have been waiting impatiently for this moment, and when you see the excitement generated by our France team three weeks ago and you know that more than 5,000 people came out in Vannes to celebrate their win, it just makes you wants to experience moments like that all over again. And it all starts tomorrow. All the ingredients are there for the competition to be a success.
Michel Gillet, Deputy Secretary of Sport, Vannes Town Council We are delighted to be hosting this U-20 Women’s World Cup. My thanks to FIFA for having chosen Brittany and the town of Vannes for this global competition. The eyes of the world will be on Vannes because of this tournament. My thanks also to you and the French Football Federation. I would also like to thank the Brittany Football League and Vannes Town Council.