As the 2006 Soccer World Cup draws to a close in Germany, the eyes of the world will focus on South Africa to see if it is ready to host the next one, says the Cabinet.
In a statement issued by government communications on Thursday, it noted the emblem for the 2010 World Cup will be unveiled in Berlin on July 7.
”As the 2006 Fifa World Cup reaches its climax in Germany, the world will be watching us carefully to judge whether we will be ready to host this prestigious event.”
The statement said the Cabinet is confident the country will be ready, and called on all sectors ”to work together in a national effort to ensure that South Africa hosts the best World Cup ever on behalf of Africa”.
It congratulated the five African countries that represented the continent in the competition in Germany, ”in particular Ghana for reaching the quarterfinals and carrying the torch, on behalf of millions of Africans around the world, and playing like true champions against the current world champions, Brazil”.
Ghana, in fact, fell out in the second round and did not reach the quarterfinals.
The 2006 World Cup final will be played in Berlin on July 9.
Cape Town stadium
Meanwhile, a business plan for Cape Town’s 2010 Soccer World Cup stadium shows a ”positive outlook” for the long-term viability of the project, Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool and city mayor Helen Zille said on Thursday.
In a joint statement, they said the plan, which covers operational but not capital costs, and projected profits, is part of a progress report they received on Wednesday.
”Serious work is continuing on several possible sites for the proposed stadium,” they said. ”By the end of July 2006 we will present a full assessment of the various options open to us.”
An estimate of the capital costs of the stadium and related infrastructure will be ready then.
Once a financial model for the capital expenditure is completed, the city and province will together approach the National Treasury to secure funding.
The design and study phases for the stadium are on schedule, and all deadlines will be met.
”We will, at all stages, work together to ensure that the planning for the hosting of a successful World Cup in the interests of Cape Town and the province,” they said. — Sapa