South African football is entering the most exciting and important phase in its history — and our national team stands at the centre of it.
We have given a commitment to the international community to deliver on our commitments in respect of staging the highest quality of global tournaments — first with the forthcoming Fifa Confederations Cup 2009 and ultimately with the Fifa World Cup 2010.
That is our promise and we will do it with no ambiguity and with absolute decisiveness.
That is the first part of our assurance — to elevate the status of South Africa to the level of excellence that is incumbent on a proud nation that has been handed the privilege to host for the first time on the African continent the two most important football tournaments on the planet.
The second part of our goal is equally critical to our endeavours and it is on this, the presentation of our team, that we now focus.
Bafana Bafana have gone into their pre-tournament camp ahead of the Fifa Confederations Cup. And to them I say: your time has come!
As the Local Organising Committee (LOC), all our plans are in place and well advanced in respect of staging this most important of tournaments ahead of the Fifa World Cup. It is now your chance, our team, Bafana Bafana, to lay your plans carefully and, through total commitment, passion and patriotism, to ensure that you are able to execute them to perfection on the field of play.
Your camp is designed to give you the best opportunity to prepare for this wonderful challenge. You will be given all that you need to ensure that you are thoroughly prepared. In return, you will be asked to exhibit total dedication, discipline and loyalty to the cause.
Please know this — you are not alone! You have the fullest support from the football community both here — at home — and in the world at large. You have the fullest support from the organising committee, which I represent and from the world body, Fifa, the major priority of which has always been to advance football expertise in the accomplishments of its member nations.
Of greatest comfort and motivation to you is the knowledge that you have the support of the whole of South Africa. The soccer-loving people of our beloved land sense that the time is upon us, to stage these prestigious tournaments and celebrate the participation of our team.
You are fortunate that you have home ground advantage in all its shapes and forms — and that it was this great benefit that spurred your predecessors to the most memorable of triumphs in the Africa Cup of Nations of 1996.
Since then our Bafana Bafana teams have had mixed fortunes, some memorable results and some that have given rise to widespread disappointment, but the important thing for you to remember is that our fledgling soccer nation, with just two decades of democratic history, has been good enough to qualify for two previous Fifa World Cups.
In France in 1998 we drew with both Denmark and Saudi Arabia and lost only to France, who went on to be crowned world champions. In Japan-Korea in 2002 we beat Slovenia, drew with Paraguay and lost to quarter-finalists Spain in a five-goal thriller.
When one considers all the nations who have failed to qualify for the biggest event in world football, our achievements tell me that we are good enough to compete on the biggest stage.
The stages that await you are indeed daunting ones but, in front of your home supporters on your home grounds and as proud representatives of the host nation, I have no doubt that you will deliver a brand of never-say-die South African football that will honour and justify your appearance in these two great events.
Success at next year’s Fifa World Cup is naturally your ultimate goal but now, at the Fifa Confederations Cup, you get your chance to put your plans and aspirations into action against the champion teams of the Fifa confederations. This alone is a huge incentive for you, the national team of South Africa, to demonstrate the undoubted skills and commitment that you carry in your ranks and in your hearts.
What exactly do we ask of you? First, we ask you to understand and appreciate the immense privilege that has been afforded South Africa to be the epicentre of world football for the next 12 months. Second, we ask you to ignite your efforts through the passion and commitment that is all around you. Third, we ask you to compete to the best of your ability at all times and to unleash the undoubted skills that lie within you. Fourth, we ask you to enjoy the moment that is yours in attaining the greatest highlight of your careers.
Let us remember that it takes a people to build a nation and a nation to build a people. Soccer is and has been important in cementing our national pride and self-esteem. Soccer has bonded races and communities in shared pride.
Football has vanquished claims that certain races have greater ability than others. As a sporting activity, soccer matches our nation’s talent for talent regardless of size and resources and show that human determination can go a long way towards levelling the playing field.
The contribution of football in nation-building has proved the importance of investing in people, confirming what South Africans have been saying all along, that our people are our greatest resource.
Let the games begin, ke-nako!
Danny Jordaan is chief executive officer of the 2010 Fifa World Cup Organising Committee South Africa