Statement by the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), on the Occasion of the FIFA Women's World Cup Tour in Ottawa

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 11, 2011) - Today, the trophy tour initiated by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Women's World Cup 2011 local organizing committee from Germany visited Ottawa. The tour began last December to bring the Women's World Cup trophy to countries that will participate in the FIFA Women's World Cup this summer.

Participation in soccer continues to grow steadily across Canada, and awareness and pride in our national women's soccer teams is at an all-time high, particularly since the recent announcement that Canada will host the 2015 Women's World Cup, the largest women's sport event in the world.

Our Canadian team's participation in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 will give our athletes an opportunity to strive for excellence at the highest level of competition. The tournament plays an important role in the development of young Canadian athletes for podium success on the international stage. Our Canadian team is ready to compete in Germany this summer, and we are behind them all the way!

On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Government of Canada, and all Canadians, I wish the Canadian women's soccer team the best of luck as they prepare to compete in the 2011 World Cup in Germany.