Two ”countdown clocks” to the 2010 Soccer World Cup were switched on at Durban International Airport on Friday, a sponsor said.
”The clocks are counting us down to our deadline and bringing us together to unveil our beautiful city to the rest of the world,” said First National Bank’s KwaZulu-Natal chief, Gareth Davies.
Davies said the moulded fibreglass clocks would remind everyone arriving at or departing from the airport that Durban was hard at work preparing for 2010.
”As a city, Durban is no stranger to hosting world-class sporting events. With events like the Cricket World Cup, the Rugby World Cup and the 13th World Aids Conference under our belt, we see the 2010 Fifa World Cup as a fresh challenge,” he said.
Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) spokesperson Colin Naidoo said Acsa was proud that the airport was chosen as the countdown location.
Saturday marks exactly three years to the 2010 Fifa World Cup semifinals to be staged in Durban on July 7 2010.
The draw for the tournament’s qualifying ties and groups will take place in Durban in November. — Sapa