The 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa has already generated record levels of revenue three years before it kicks off, the head of the local organising committee said on Thursday.
Danny Jordaan told the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry that doom merchants who predicted that an African host of the event would only lead to losses for soccer world governing body Fifa had been proved wrong.
“Fifa has a $3-billion budget … The argument against any African country hosting the event was that no African country can guarantee on a business basis the revenue required by Fifa,” he said
“The 2010 World Cup has already generated $3,2-billion — the highest revenue in 100 years. Fifa may even reach closer to $4-billion.”
South Africa’s business leaders were meeting in Johannesburg to discuss opportunities for the country in hosting the event, as well as the legacy it will create for the country and the continent.
Jordaan said the economic boost provided from the event itself, as well as the hype running up to it, would not only provide infrastructure but African pride and solidarity.
“One, we have to meet with the Fifa requirements, and two, the element of legacy.”
As the first developing country to host the World Cup since Mexico in 1986, South Africa is aiming to silence critics and put on the best tournament ever while dealing with the “gap between what exists in South Africa and what existed in [previous host] Germany.
“The government has signed 17 guarantees assuring Fifa that the infrastructure will be in place,” said Jordaan.
“The important issue is that our economy is in good shape and we are able to deliver the event.”
Plenty of opportunities exist from the money-spinning event, with television rights to the value of €1,47-billion already collected by Fifa for the event which is expected to draw about 450 000 visitors to South Africa. — AFP