The Local Organising Committee (LOC) should release quarterly reports informing the public about how their plans for the Soccer World Cup were progressing, the Democratic Alliance said on Sunday.
The DA’s sport and recreation spokesperson James Masango said in a statement that until now, there had been very little communication between the LOC and the public about what targets had been met, and which were looming.
”The South African public deserves to know about actual progress, not just plans for the future.”
Although the LOC reported to the portfolio committees, this did not get to the South African public, and as this was as much their World Cup as the government’s, they should be given up-to-date reports on progress, Masango.
”So far the LOC has ignored the need to show the public exactly where they stand, and this has caused some pessimism about how well the World Cup will go.”
Last month the LOC failed to turn up at a press conference, which was attended by South African and international representatives.
”This is not the first time that they have upset the media. A few months ago a press conference was held with half the media told at the last minute, and the other half not told at all,” said Masango.
”If reports are sent out promptly, every three months this will keep the media involved and informed, and help to show actual progress and highlight areas that need more attention.”
It certainly did not help that it was ”impossible to get hold of the LOC or Danny Jordaan”.
”There is no website, or contact details that are easily available to the public, and their concerns are just as important as the portfolio committees.”
In order to make this the successful World Cup, the public should be involved in every step of the planning and implementation.
The best way to achieve this was to constantly update the media with progress reports by the LOC.
”The biggest stakeholders in 2010 are the public,” Masango said.
”They will benefit from the World Cup, they will benefit from the growth in jobs and opportunities and they will use the new infrastructure long after the games are finished.
”This is their World Cup and they deserve to know what is going on.” – Sapa