Ukraine's sports minister optimistic about hosting Euro 2012
Kiev - The Ukrainian government has dismissed speculation that the country may not be in a position to co-host Euro 2012 alongside Poland.
"We will be ready in 2012, I have no doubt about it," Yuri Pavlenko, Ukraine's minister for sport, youth and family, was quoted Friday by the Interfax news agency as saying in Kiev.
Pavlenko said that Kiev's Olympic stadium would be finished on time and be ready to host the final despite construction hold-ups of more than a year.
Last month UEFA expressed doubts about Ukraine's ability to host the event due to organizational problems and internal political conflicts.
However, Pavlenko said he remained confident that the necessary funding would be made available in 2009 to ensure preparations for Euro 2012 remained on track. (dpa)