South Africans are now more confident about hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup than they were in 2004, a survey by world soccer governing body Fifa revealed on Wednesday.
The survey, conducted amongst South Africans by international research company SPORT+MARKT, was the first of six public opinion surveys.
The survey revealed that 77% of people were ”more confident the tournament will be a success compared to how they felt in 2004, when South Africa was chosen as host for 2010”.
Three-quarters of those surveyed felt the World Cup ”will unite the people of South Africa”.
More than 80% of respondents believed the tournament would have a positive effect on tourism, would result in improved roads, public transport and telecommunications and would improve South Africa’s image internationally.
However, 53% were worried about the level of crime during the World Cup (though 36% disagreed and 11% were unsure).
Fifty-eight percent expected prices to increase and 53% expected traffic congestion to increase.
”Despite these concerns, the results of the survey bode well for the Fifa World Cup, with the South African nation appearing to recognise the many advantages of hosting the event,” the survey concluded.
The ”urban representative survey” polled 1 007 South Africans in all major South African cities and in 2010 host cities, with quotas for ethnic origin, age and gender. — Sapa