'Broken promises' hit World Cup organisers

THE coalition Government say they remain fully behind the 2013 Rugby League World Cup despite fears that funding may be slashed by more than £1m.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Jan 2011, 08:32 BST
Updated 27th Jan 2011, 08:33 BST

Rugby Football League chairman Richard Lewis, who is also chairman of Sport England, has accused the Government of breaking its promises.

World Cup organisers fear they will lose crucial funding as a result of the decision to replace nine regional development agencies, such as Yorkshire Forward, with local enterprise partnerships.

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"There has been a huge amount of interest in the Rugby League World Cup," Lewis told MPs and peers at Westminster. "In fact, everything was set fair for a very successful tournament.

"All the more disappointing, therefore, that this Government has not stated unequivocally that they will honour contracts and commitments already in place through regional agencies.

"Not meeting spending commitments in the future is one thing but breaking existing contracts and commitments is another thing altogether."

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport responded to the criticism by reiterating their support for the tournament, but no guaranteed financial backing.

Related topics:Richard LewisGovernmentRugby Football LeagueMPs