SA 2010 is going to be 'great'

Published Sep 17, 2008

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The 2010 World Cup will be a "great, great success." With those words the most powerful official in world soccer, Sepp Blatter, left South Africa for Switzerland on Wednesday.

The Fifa president assured a huge media gathering at Ellis Park that South Africa was set to deliver the best ever World Cup. Blatter had completed a four day visit where he met President Thabo Mbeki, former president Nelson Mandela, visited Greenpoint Stadium in Cape Town, Soccer City, south of Johannesburg and Ellis Park in his whirl wind tour.

He stressed it was not an inspection tour but a courtesy visit, but he was pleased with what he saw while in the country: "I was assured by government that all the Fifa guarantees to host the World Cup will be met and that all the stadiums being build and upgraded are on schedule. I go back to Zurich a happy man."

But he warned the 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee to start promoting the Confederations Cup which will be a dress rehearsal for the World Cup and runs from June 14-28 next year.

The Confederations Cup features world champions Italy, the six continental champions in Spain, Egypt, New Zealand, Brazil, United States, Iraq and hosts South Africa.

Blatter told the LOC: "Do something and quick. I want to see banners promoting not just the 2010 World Cup but the Confederations Cup which will be held in South Africa and is a very important event, which we need to start promoting now. I want those banners not just in South Africa, but in the countries who are playing in the Confederations Cup."

Ellis Park will host the opening match and final of the Confederations Cup. Blatter also took a swipe at Bafana Bafana's poor form under inexperienced Brazilian coach Joel Santana. Said the Fifa president: "It is high noon for Bafana. There will be no favours when the draw is made for the Confederations Cup. Bafana need to start improving and building a team able to compete against the best in the world. The team needs to get going in the right direction."

Blatter said fans could expect a trouble free Confederations Cup and World Cup. He said that he was not worried by South Africa's high crime rate.

Explained Blatter: "There is crime all over the world. I believe we will have it under control during both events. The security of fans will be looked after. I am also pleased the local governments are sorting out any transport issues. Everything is well on track for South Africa to deliver an exceptional World Cup and Confederations Cup."

Blatter said the fact there were not enough hotel rooms for the World Cup demand was a good sign. “The fact we already have more fans than beds in South Africa tells me 2010 is going to be a major success."

The executive mayor of Johannesburg Amos Masondo, said his city would deliver on their promise. "We are making real progress with our stadiums. I want to assure president Blatter our stadiums will be ready on time."

The bill for the upgrading of Soccer City will cost R2-billion. Already R1,4-billion had been spent. An amount of R230-million had been allocated for Ellis Park's upgrade and so far R131-million had been spent, explained Masondo.

Added Masondo: "Both upgrades on Orlando and Dobsonville Stadiums are almost complete. We have also spent R67,4-million on the Rand Stadium and will spend R196-million on Orlando Stadium which will be handed over to Fifa on November 23 as a training venue. Dobsonville will get a R230 million face lift as a training venue."

The premier of Gauteng, Mbhazima Shilowa said: "We are working hard upgrading our roads and we will have all the stadiums in Tshwane and Joburg ready on time." - Sapa

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