Authorities in Nizhny Novgorod offered free food and accommodation to workers in a bid to complete construction on the city’s World Cup Russia 2018 host stadium, Reuters reports.
The 45,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is one of the 12 venues that will host the tournament across 11 Russian cities, and it will hold England’s Group G meeting with Panama on June 24, as well as five other matches.
The regional sports ministry sent a letter to the heads of local districts in an effort to persuade them to send municipal workers to Nizhny with the offer of three meals a day, housing and tools for potential takers. Authorities were attempting to make sure the stadium was finished in time to host its inaugural match on April 14.
"Unfortunately the level of the stadium's readiness for the inauguration requires the enlistment of additional labour," the letter, signed by regional sports minister Sergei Panov, said.
"I ask you to send employees from physical activity facilities and other institutions in the field of physical culture and sport (10 people) to Nizhny Novgorod for the completion of construction and general service works at the stadium from April 6 to 14 (inclusively)."
Following the World Cup, the stadium will be handed over to FC Olimpiyets Nizhny Novgorod, who play in the third-tier Russian National Football League.
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