To Football Fans of the World.
The Empire of Abertone hopes to unite the footballing world in a way that has never been tried. This year it is our hope that the World Cup can find its way not just to East Adria but also to Western Albion. We believe that we will be the first tournament to see games take place in two continents. Abertone, the nation of the Wolf, is a passionate nation of football fans, we love football so much we have two leagues. Each year our Western League and Eastern Leagues see action with the Grand Final pitching the top two teams from both Leagues against each other to win the Super League and crown Grand Champions. Inspired by this format it is our hope to give our passionate fans a taste of the worlds greatest tournament.
Our bid requires no new stadiums to be built, no new training facitilies, such is the quality of our national game and its infrastructure. Should we be successful the money that would have been spent on such things will instead be put 50/50 into two pots. The first is to help build facilities across the Empire to ensure that all young people have access to sporting facilitie that will allow the future generation to chase their own world cup dreams. The second pot will be used to help nations developing their love for the game access a concept we hope to begin utilising this funding. If successful the ACA (Abertone Calcio Associazione) will set up the Global Coaching Bank and employ the best aviable coaches, physios, nutritionists and other staff needed for a successful football team. These will then be sent, upon request, to nations wishing to boost their own national teams development. Bringing the world cup to Abertone would spell success for the future of football everywhere.
The tournament itself (OOC- Assuming its the 32 team format and that the groups follow the traditional ladder format and not random drawing, if so ignore the ladder mentions) will be split into the traditional eight groups with Groups A,B,C and D being based in the Eastern Part of the Empire initially, while the other half of the draw would be based in the Western Parts. It would be our dream that a semi-final in each continent would allow a Ardian Memorial Cup awarded and an Albion Memorial Cup, these will become bi-annual tournaments used to promote youth soccer. The final itself would take place in the capital of Abertone, namely Abertone City. This approach will save fans having to criss cross the oceans, or travel far at all. Any team needing to cross the Empires sea border will be provided with private aircraft to allow this to take place comfortably, swiftly and securely. While this may sound unecological sound Abertone will pledge to plant two trees for every fan who attends games as well as donating ten trees to each nation for every supporter who travels to our nation. Various other initaitives will run throughout the tournament to further improve carbon footprints but also promote environmentally friendly practices, for example no single use plastic will be used in stadiums with all drinks being served either in souvenir plastic glasses dedicated to each game, making them collectors items, or by using recyclable toughened cardboard/paper. Proceeds from the souvenir glasses will donated to the Joint Emergency Team.
In order to better accommodate teams our two Premier Leagues will be paused during the World Cup and the teams facilities made available to the nations competing, in addition our Universities are delighted to offer access to their own world class facilities to support the hosting of this event. Abertone is a popular nation for many tourists and so our hotels stand by to pamper and care for all the teams neededs alternatively we can find accomodation utilising University student halls depending on a teams need.
The national, free to air, TV network "Imperial Broadcasting Syndicate" will handle broadcasts and make facilities accesable for foreign journalists and TV teams to be as close to the action as possible. It is the networks intention to make a documentary of the Abertone national teams build up to and participation in the tournament regardless of where it is held however if we become the host nation we would invite all teams to join in the documentary to give fans an unprecedented experience of the tournament and their favourite stars.
Our list of stadiums is attached for your approval
STADIO IMPERIAL (86,200) - The National stadium in Abertone City. It sits in a park on the edge of the city and is easy to access having its own metro station. The stadium is tightly tiered allowing fans to feel as close to the action as possible. It is normally the home of AS Abertone, the oldest team in the nation, and its atmosphere during their games is second to none. The stadium also has a retracable roof meaning games will take place no matter what.
LAFAIGI ARENA (81,000) - This is arguably the nations second arena, the National team play half their home games here and it is home of the Eastern Leagues cup finals and playoffs. It sits in the capital of the Eastern Empire from where its rather unimaginative name comes from.
MEDI STADIUM (73,000) - The stadium is in the Western part of the Empire and located in the 2nd largest city there, Sesare. The stadium was recently refurbished and an extra 10,000 seats added. The stadium sits easily within walking distance of the river that runs through Sesare and many fans choose to arrive at games using the frequent water taxis. The stadium is co-owned between the local city council and Mensallo Economic Development Initiatives, a well respected Abertone insurance company.
BULWA SPORTS PARK (67,000)- Bulwa is a growing city located in the Eastern Part of the empire. It is a "model" town set up to take advantage of nearby discovries of natural gas in the early 2000's. The city is still growing and enjoys its sport. Last year the football stadium at a newly established park that is to be dedicated to several sports stadiums and entertainment venues was completed and we can think of no better curtain raiser than a World Cup game.
THE RUZZARGI (57,000) - The Ruzzargi is the home ground of Empana CC, the third most successful team in the nations history and current Western Empire Cup Champions. Empana is a city built on textiles back in the 17th Century and the large stone troughs for washing wool and cotton are still visible throughout its streets. The city also is the highest in the Empire sitting at some 2,077 meters above sea level.
GREENWAY ATHLETIC ARENA (47,000) - Normally the Arena is the Eastern Empire's top venue for athletics, its track being unofficially nicknamed "the speedway" as 12 of the National Records were set here. The arena sits just outside the town of Rallate and is the most Eastern city in the Empire. Rallate is famed for its chocolate manufacture and the famed Shessaru Family Confectionary being the Imperial Families official supplier (their factory is just 1km from the ground)
TAU STADIA NORD (41000) - The city of Tau in the Western Empire is home to two sports clubs with a fierce rivalry separated by three tiers. Tau Nord currently play in the top flight while fierce rivals Tau Sud play in the 4th tier of the national game having been wound up by the courts three years ago following huge fines after discovered financial irregularities going back decades. The city is football crazy though and while such rivalries would bring glee to most the fact their local Derby no longer takes place has even seen Nord fans push for their club to loan promising youngsters to their rival. Surely this act of putting the game before their own passions is deserving of hosting a world cup and whether you wear the gold of Nord or the Red of Sud you can guarantee a warm welcome in the city fames for car production.
JAMBALA PARK (29,500)
Jambala Park is named after Augustin Jambala, the first person from the Eastern Empire to play for the national team. In 1903 he made his debut against Kermah and scored two goals at the age 22. He went on to play a further 40 times for the Empire before retiring but his hometown of Trilalu in the East named a Park after him and a stadium came soon after. The smallest stadium in the world cup would however likely get one of the loudest crowds with Trilalu CC'33 boasting a full 37 piece tribal drum band among their regular supporters.
In addition to these venues we would also offer the
St. Christophers Arena with a capacity of 12,000, for blind Football matches in the Western part of the Empire. Its retractable roof and feeling of an ancient amphitheatre will be perfect for fans and players. Meanwhile in the East the
Lafiagi Dome will be used to give 10,000 fans a chance to see the blind football.
To further help fans enjoy their experience we give an undertaking that should the tournament be hosted in the Empire the Emperor has decreed that large screens be erected in major parks in each host city allowing fans to watch all games with an atmosphere like those found in the grounds. In addition each city will also be tasked with hosting a musical competition between local artists with each cities winners performing at the final before a global audience. It is our hope that not only will the football tournament be a success but a fans visit to the Empire will be fun and memorable regardless of how well their team progresses.
As Emperor Marco is the Honourary President of the ACA it is clear the tournament will enjoy the support of the Imperial government and as such by signing this letter with myself he has given his assurances that everything will be done to make sure fans, officials, players and media staff will all enjoy a fantastic few weeks of sporting action in safety.
Best Regards
Emperor Marco (Honourary President of the ACA)
Thomas Schiovane (Chairman of the ACA)
