Representatives of the South African government will discuss the country’s progress in preparing for the 2010 Soccer World Cup at a briefing in Beijing, China, on Thursday, a spokesperson for the South African government said.
Along with Fifa representatives, they are scheduled to participate in a panel discussion with members of the public and international media to provide an update on the country’s preparations to host the tournament.
Issues for discussion will include the security, transport, political and economic aspects of hosting the World Cup, the first time it will be held in Africa.
Those taking part are expected to include Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad, Deputy Minister of Finance Jabu Moleketi, Fifa secretary general Jérôme Valcke, local organising committee chief executive officer Danny Jordaan, police commissioner Andre Pruis, and Ray Wheland of Match AG, involved in accommodation plans.
”The message we want to take to the world is that we are on course to deliver the best World Cup and we will be ready come 2010, and there are no tangible reasons why people should doubt us,” said Moleketi.
Last week Moleketi said that although infrastructure plans were on track, it would cost at least R2-billion more than the original estimate of R9,6-billion because of increases in the cost of imported equipment, increased steel prices, the high international oil price, the exchange rate and ”complexities” in the design of some of the stadiums.
He said the national fiscus and host cities would have to make a contribution.
The results of a technical report released last week showed that preparations included planning for health facilities, including a mass intake of patients, clean-up campaigns for the host cities, screening and registering volunteers, finding the 55 000 rooms that Fifa stipulate for accommodation, finishing the upgrades of airports and transport precincts and shielding stadiums from power disruptions.
The police have also been practising emergency operations that they might have to use during the tournament.
”As the curtain closes on Beijing, it is widely believed that attention will now be firmly focused on South Africa,” the statement said.
The government was also using the event to boost spending on the country’s infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Tiyani Rikhotso, the government’s World Cup spokesperson, said that the controversial Ikhaya centre, on which millions of taxpayers’ rands were spent and which was meant to showcase South Africa at the Games, was functioning.
”We had some challenges with the arrival of materials, however, the centre is functioning now. The room is packed with people.” – Sapa