South Africa’s World Cup bid for 2010 is still on course. This was the message of assurance from Danny Jordaan, the CEO of the South African World Cup Bid Committee, at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
He dismissed suggestions that the turmoil in the local soccer circles could have an adverse effect on South Africa’s bid to host the soccer extravaganza in 2010.
”South Africa’s campaign is still on track and I am still confident of winning the bid,” he said.
”When I spoke to journalists in Tunisia during the African Cup of Nations, not a single person asked me about Safa or Shakes Mashaba.
”What the journalists wanted to know about was the Aids situation, our soccer facilities and things like that.”
Jordaan also dismissed fears that South Africa’s poor performance in the African Cup of Nations in Tunisia recently might have a negative impact on their bid.
”France didn’t qualify for the World Cup in 1994 — but they were awarded the 1998 World Cup. The organisers are not concerned about the quality of play by the bidding team.
”They want to know about stadiums, communications, security and transport,” he said.
”However, it is important for the host nation’s team to perform well at the World Cup. By reaching the semi-finals in 2002, Korea created a tremendous atmosphere at the World Cup. So South Africa has to start preparing for 2010, so that our team does well.
”By 2010, some of our younger players will be taking part in their fourth World Cup, and will be very experienced internationally. I can see no reason why we shouldn’t do well.”
Jordaan said the bidding process had reached the third and final phase, with all attention focused on the international campaign to gain support for South Africa’s bid.
”We need to secure the 13 votes to ensure that we win the right to host the World Cup.
”We have made our presentation to three of the continental congresses, and will address the others before the decision is made on May 15. I have reason to be very confident ahead of the final decision in May,” he added.
Regarding the possible visit by Spanish superstars Real Madrid, Jordaan said the club’s commitments in the European Champions league had made it impossible to visit South Africa at the beginning of March, as originally planned.
”But we are still talking to them, and hope to arrange a visit at a later date. Real Madrid have embarked on a campaign to build the team as a global brand, and South Africa is very much part of their target market,” he said. – Sapa