PARIS: President Francois Hollande on Thursday promised that France would stage a 2016 European championship to remember.

He made the claim during a lunch at the Elysee Palace with French and European football leaders, mayors of host cities and many ministers.

“It’s an opportunity for France, our clubs, our territories, an opportunity for our host cities or base camps and also an opportunity for our football,” Hollande said as he greeted officials including UEFA preisdent Michel Platini and France coach Didier Deschamps.

Also in attendance were Prime Minister Manuel Valls, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, and new Sports Minister Patrick Kanner and his Secretary of State Thierry Braillard.

Euro 2016 will take place from June 10 to July 11, in ten venues located in nine cities.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2014