Former A-league boss Damien de Bohun is Visit Victoria’s new major events general manager

THE ex-head of Australia’s premier soccer league will spearhead Victoria’s quest to lure more major events and retain its status as the nation’s sporting capital.

Former head of A-League, Damien de Bohun

THE former head of Australia’s premier soccer league will spearhead Victoria’s quest to lure more major events and retain its status as the nation’s sporting capital.

Former A-League chief Damien de Bohun will be announced as Visit Victoria’s new major events general manager today in a bid to protect and expand the state’s world-class calendar.

It comes after Melbourne’s sporting reputation was bruised by Adelaide landing a boxing bout billed as the biggest fight in Australian history.

The South Australian Government yesterday announced a long-awaited rematch between Danny Green and Anthony Mundine would be staged at Adelaide Oval.

Pressure is mounting on the Andrews Government to lift its game in major events with other states circling our unrivalled sports calendar.

Mr de Bohun, the A-League’s longest serving and most successful chief, will be central to the mission to keep Victoria No. 1 alongside Visit Victoria chief executive Peter Bingeman.

“Being part of the future of major events in both Melbourne and throughout the state is something I’m excited about and keen to get started on,’’ he said.

South Australian Sports Minister Leon Bignell said Adelaide luring the February 3 Green-Mundine fight expected to attract 37,000 people was “a coup’’ and warned the city was eyeing more.

“We’re looking more and more to build our visitor economy and we’ve taken it in the last year from $5.3 billion worth of value to the economy to $5.9 billion,’’ he said.

“We’ve put an extra 4000 jobs into the tourism sector.’’

The Herald Sun last week revealed Victoria was under siege from other states trying to raid its major events after Premier Daniel Andrews axed the Victorian Major Events Company.

The stand-alone company became Visit ­Victoria in June.

But despite South Australians yesterday trumpeting an event set to lure visitors from interstate and expected be a fan and ratings winner, the Andrews Government did not even bid for the bout.

Visit Victoria chief executive Peter Bingeman said Melbourne had thumbed its nose at the event.

“We wish South Australia well with this particular event — an event that we chose not to add to our calendar,’’ he said.

“It’s safe to say we are in advanced negotiations to add more blockbuster events to Victoria’s calendar.”

Acting Sports Minister Philip Dalidakis said Mr de Bohun, a key architect of the successful FFA Cup, a former Cricket Australia and Leukaemia Foundation executive, would start next month.

“He’s not just a savvy operator, he’s a well-known figure in sporting and business circles,’’ he said.

@rolfep