/ 17 September 2008

World Cup will be a great success, says Blatter

The 2010 Soccer World Cup will be a ''great, great success''. These were the words of Fifa president Sepp Blatter as he left SA on Wednesday.

The 2010 Soccer World Cup will be a ”great, great success”.

These were the words of the most powerful official in world soccer, Sepp Blatter, as he left South Africa for Switzerland on Wednesday.

The president of world soccer governing body Fifa assured a huge media gathering at Coca-Cola Park that South Africa was set to deliver the best-ever World Cup.

Blatter had just completed a four-day visit during which he met President Thabo Mbeki and former president Nelson Mandela, and visited Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, Soccer City south of Johannesburg and Coca-Cola Park.

He stressed that it was but a courtesy visit and not an inspection tour, but nonetheless said he was pleased with what he saw while in the country.

”I was assured by the government that all the Fifa guarantees to host the World Cup will be met and that all the stadiums being built and upgraded are on schedule. I go back to Zurich a happy man.”

But he warned the 2010 World Cup local organising committee (LOC) to start promoting the Confederations Cup, which will be a dress rehearsal for the World Cup and runs from June 14 to 28 next year.

The Confederations Cup features world champions Italy, six continental champions in Spain, Egypt, New Zealand, Brazil, United States and 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 [and] which we need to start promoting now.

”I want those banners not just in South Africa, but in the countries that are playing in the Confederations Cup.”

Coca-Cola Park (formerly 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 mayor of Johannesburg, Amos Masondo, said his city would deliver on its 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 was R2-billion. Already R1,4-billion had been spent. An amount of R230-million had been allocated for Coca-Cola Park’s upgrade, and so far R131 million had been spent, explained Masondo.

The Premier of Gauteng, Mbhazima Shilowa, said: ”We are working hard on upgrading our roads and we will have all the stadiums in Tshwane and Jo’burg ready on time.” — Sapa