"Multiple cities" in the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic and Paralympic host nation have shown "strong interest" in hosting the event.

It means Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Durban in South Africa and the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic host city of Sochi in Russia - which have all been visited as part of their bid applications - could face new competition for the event.

If Brazil does win the right to host the Convention, it will be a boost after the country was stripped of the Soccerex and Laureus Sports Awards, which were both due to be held in Rio de Janeiro.

Soccerex was cancelled in November due to security concerns, while the Laureus Sports Awards were moved to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur early this year amid financial issues.

Abu Dhabi is one of three cities in the race to host next year's SportAccord Convention, but Brazil could also join the race ©Getty Images



"Our site visits are assessments which take into account the increased size of the Convention as it moves forward," said SportAccord Convention managing director, Nis Hatt.

"We are excited to be in the privileged position of having so many cities interested in hosting our event and are looking forward to making an announcement very soon about where the 2015 Convention will be held."

Abu Dhabi is seen as the frontrunner.

Convention President Marius Vizer last month unveiled plans to make the event three times bigger, with more delegates and more exhibitors.

Speaking at the start of this year's gathering in Belek/Antalya, Turkey, he said he has a "more complex strategy" for the event going forward.

A total of 1,800 delegates registered for the Convention in Turkey

Vizer has pledge to ensure the meeting remains "for the IFs (International Federations) by the IFs".

To date for the when the host city of the 13th SportAccord Convention is chosen has been given.

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