MOSCOW, 7 May 2010 - "Art and Sport", the charity organisation founded and led by Russian businessman and philanthropist, Alisher Usmanov, is the third partner to support the Russian Bid Committee in their campaign to win the right to host the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup™.

Art and Sport provides help in organising socially important events in art, culture and sport, and also implements scientific, educational and social projects throughout the entire Russian Federation.

"Hosting the FIFA World Cup would be extremely important for Russia. An event of such magnitude would raise the profile of the country, provide an impact for national football development, and most importantly attract the youth to sports", said Alisher Usmanov.

Alexey Sorokin, CEO of the Bid Committee and General Secretary of the Russian Football Union (RFU), welcomes the partnership: "By joining our campaign, Art and Sport demonstrates its commitment to Russia's goal of hosting the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time in history. Alisher Usmanov's contribution to our work will further strengthen our outreach to all stakeholders in the world of football so as to bring across the merits of the Russian bid."

With his Art and Sport charity, Mr Usmanov runs programmes and projects with a variety of sports organisations, such as the Russian Fencing Federation, Dynamo Sports Club, and regional sports federations. Finally, the charity is a major provider of resources for social projects and healthcare, helping a large number of facilities such as rehabilitation centres, sports complexes, youth educational and sports establishments and other social infrastructure facilities.

In 2004, Mr Usmanov, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honour for Services to business and charity.

For more information:

Russia Bid Committee for the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup™

Julia Cooper, Communications Manager
Phone:     +7 495 660 49 80
E-mail:    

Andreas Herren, International Media Coordinator
Mobile: +41 (79) 799 0046
E-mail: