South Africa begins the most important test of its ability to host the 2010 World Cup, exactly one year away, as the games for the curtain-raiser Confederations Cup kick off on Sunday.
The two-week competition will test whether the country can deliver on its World Cup goals of delivering sparkling new stadiums, beefed-up security, an overhaul of the transport system and a big new supply of accommodation.
The government is banking on the games to transform the image of the country and the continent, and is spending about $63-billion to modernise its infrastructure, said Rich Mkhondo, spokesperson for the local organising committee (LOC).
Stadiums
Four stadiums have already been upgraded to host the Confederations Cup. The first of the new stadiums was completed this week, and the five others are slated to open by December, according to the LOC.
A series of court disputes, labour strikes and tribal land battles had raised fears that the construction wouldn’t be ready when the World Cup begins on June 11 2010, but those concerns have subsided.
“We are confident with the progress made so far. Right now we are nine months ahead of where Japan and Korea were in 2004, and six months ahead compared with Germany in 2006,” said the LOC’s Mkhondo.
Security
In a country where about 50 people are killed every day, South Africa is one of the world’s most violent countries.
World football governing body Fifa has repeatedly sought to ease concerns over crime, pointing to South Africa’s successful hosting of other major sports events, including the Indian Premier League cricket that wrapped up last month.
The government has in recent months taken a tougher tone on crime, keenly aware that an incident-free tournament would boost South Africa’s image abroad, while any major violence would heighten fears about safety here.
“Over 10 000 police officers will be available to ensure the safety of visitors during the World Cup,” said Linda Mti, chief security officer for the games.
“Our police services are working closely with international security agencies like Interpol and share security issues on daily basis,” said Mti.
The Police Ministry has raised the possibility of bringing in soldiers to help with some police jobs, including emergency services.
Accommodation
Despite a tourism boom over the last decade, organisers have scrambled to overcome a shortage of accommodation for travellers in South Africa.
Last year Fifa decided to accredit non-hotel establishments to house some of the 450 000 foreign visitors expected to attend the games.
A slew of guest houses, private lodges and backpacker hostels will add to the country’s 100 000 graded rooms.
Fifa has also contracted rooms in neighbouring countries, which tourism officials say is aimed at spreading the financial benefits of the games beyond South Africa’s borders.
A total of about 4 000 rooms have been secured outside the country, with 3 200 on the island of Mauritius, famous for its exotic beaches, but a four-and-a-half hour flight away.
“Mauritius is one of the leading tourist destinations in the region. We hope that the World Cup will further promote that position,” Mkhondo said.
Transport
South Africa has been overhauling its transportation system over the last three years, widening highways, creating a new urban bus network and giving a facelift to its airports.
The first segment on a light rail network to link OR Tambo Airport to the Sandton business area is expected to be running in 2010, but possibly not in time for the games.
The multibillion-dollar Gautrain project, which began in September 2006, is the country’s flagship public transportation project, aimed at easing road congestion between Johannesburg and Pretoria.
But the Pretoria route will only be finished a year later.
Johannesburg’s Bus Rapid Transit System, meant to start running this month, has been stalled by protesting taxi drivers, who currently provide most of the city’s public transport, hoping to cash in on the games.
“Problems around the bus system are being resolved, construction is going ahead and we will be ready long before the start of the World Cup,” said Rehanna Moosajee, a Johannesburg city councillor.
South Africa hopes the transport overhaul will leave the nation transformed after the games, overcoming the inadequacies of the apartheid-era system, which was designed to keep people apart. — AFP