Maracanã to go private

Ther Rio state government has announced that it will hand over administration of the famed Maracanã stadium to a private operator once ongoing renovations are completed. Governor Sérgio Cabral stated this week that the process to appoint the new administrator will begin in the second half of 2011, commenting that it is no longer possible for the state to run the facility and a professional, private group is required. Cabral added that once refurbishments to the stadium and the smaller Maracanazinho facility are ready in December 2012 they will be very interesting prospects for the private sector.