The Victorian Government has today announced that if re-elected, it will invest $500,000 towards the All Nations Football Cup – the state-wide soccer tournament for men and women aged 18 to 34, with $50,000 in prize money for each winning group.
Speaking about the All Nations Cup tournament, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews praised it as an initiative that harnesses and celebrates the power of diversity, whilst revealing the cup will be delivered in partnership with Football Victoria.
“Victoria’s cultural diversity is what makes our state great – multicultural festivals and events are an important way to celebrate the contribution communities have made – and continue to make,” Mr Andrews said.
In celebration of the 2022 Qatar World Cup and in the lead-up of the 2023 Australia and New Zealand Women’s World Cup, Andrews’ Government will also support bringing an elite Greek football team, whether the national team or a top club, to play a friendly in Victoria as part of the 2023 All Nations Football Cup final.
“We’ll support multicultural communities with more sporting events for all Victorians to experience,” Mr Andrews said.
For his part, Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, praised the success of the All Nations Cup, whilst adding: “Labor has a strong record of supporting multicultural communities and will continue to do so by hosting an All Nations Football Cup.”
Speaking with The Greek Herald, President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), Bill Papastergiadis OAM expressed GCM’s excitement and enthusiasm with the announcement.
“On the back of the interest and success of Team Greece at the All Nations Cup, it’s heartening to see the Victorian Government supporting an expanded competition in 2023,” he said.
“With Melbourne being a globally recognised Greek city it makes sense to bring a major Greek team from Greece to Melbourne. Such events add more connections between our two great countries and highlight the importance of this relationship.
“Sport unifies us in so many ways,” he concluded.
READ MORE: Greek team storm into All Nations Cup final after defeating Italy.
