Construction on Durban’s King Senzangakhona Stadium, which will host a 2010 World Cup semifinal, is running ahead of schedule, said the city planner for Durban’s World Cup projects.
”We are eight weeks ahead of schedule, the stadium is 65% complete,” said Julie-May Ellingson.
The news is a welcome boost for the country’s World Cup organisers in the wake of the news that Port Elizabeth’s stadium won’t be ready in time for the 2009 Confederations Cup and Fifa boss Joseph Blatter’s comments that he has talked to three other countries about hosting the tournament if South Africa is unable to host the event.
Tim Modise, communications director of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said that they would be looking for answers from football’s ruling body over the issue.
”Obviously the chairperson and the CEO of the LOC will seek clarity from the president [Blatter] on what he meant,” said Modise.
”As matters stand no such discussions [on contingency plans] are taking place.”
Delia Fischer, Fifa spokesperson in Johannesburg, played down Blatter’s remarks, saying South Africa would only lose the event in the case of a natural disaster.
”For us it’s clear. The president clearly stressed in case of a natural disaster,” she said.
Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke, during an inspection visit to South Africa this week, said ”the level of comfort is good enough”, Modise said. – Sapa-DPA