FINA, the international governing body for swimming, has announced that Manchester has won the right to host the 9th FINA World Short Course (25m) Swimming Championships in 2008.

The decision was announced yesterday at the 7th World Short Course Swimming Championships taking place in Indianapolis.

The City of Manchester is working in partnership with UK Sport, British Swimming and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to plan the event.

The championships are expected to cost in the region of £4.41m to host, with the city council contributing £1.275m and £950,000 and £750,000 coming from UK Sport and NWDA respectively.

Councillor Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester is absolutely delighted to be able to host this event, a first for the UK.

“Manchester has a pioneering spirit and this, coupled with its enthusiasm, is what united our city in the XVII Commonwealth Games.

“The short course swim championships will be a great spectator event and a wonderful opportunity to showcase Manchester on the world stage.”

The championships are held every two years and attract around 1,000 swimmers and team officials from almost 150 countries.

Manchester won the right to host the event over rival bid city, Trieste in Italy.