Egyptian Youth and Sports Minister Ali Eddin Helal said on Thursday Egypt was ”completely prepared” to host the 2010 World Cup.
Egypt was the first country to announce on May 21 its intention to become a candidate to host the competition, followed by five other African countries: Morocco, Nigeria, Libya, South Africa and Tunisia.
”Egypt is entirely prepared to host this world event,” Helal told a press conference.
Egypt enjoys good ”security conditions, a moderate climate year long”, benefits from a solid tourist infrastructure and its people are ”passionate about football”, he added.
The minister also recalled that Egypt was a founder of the African Football Confederation, which has been headquartered here since its birth in 1956.
The year 2010 will be the first time an African country will host the World Cup, under new rules requiring the event to rotate from one continent to another.
The six countries have until September 30 to present their formal candidacies to the secretary general of Fifa, Urs Linsi of Switzerland.
Fifa will then make inspection visits over the next six months and draft a report to be submitted to the executive committee on April 15 2004. The host will be chosen on May 20 2004 in Paris. – Sapa-AFP