October 30, 2003
By Lucky Sindane
THE moment has arrived … Fifa's delegation is in town to decide our fate in hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
The five-man technical delegation from the Federation of International Football Association (Fifa) touched down at Johannesburg International Airport on Thursday to begin their whirlwind investigation of facilities - both on and off the field - around the country.
The team is headed up by the president of the Belgian Football Association, Jan Peeters, who was Fifa deputy head of delegation for the World Cups in Mexico 1986, Italy 1990, US 1994, France 1998 and Euro 2000. The other four members of the squad are: Finish national Pertti Alaja (match commissioner for Fifa); Frenchman Jacques Bouillon (director of media and telecommunications for the Fifa World Cup Organising Committee for France 1998); Michel Sablon from Belgium (manager of Euro 2000 and Fifa match commissioner); and Harold Mayne-Nicholls of Chile (development officer for the Fifa Goal Programme).
The flags are flying proud along the national highways and reception committees around the country are waiting to show just why South Africa should get the nod to host the 2010 event.
"Our recent trip to Zurich to present the bid book to Fifa was very successful," said soccer legend and South African bid ambassador Philemon Masinga. "Our bid is much stronger than other countries and we hope Fifa selects South Africa next year." Masinga was speaking at a press conference in Sandton ahead of the delegation's arrival.
This afternoon the Fifa five will visit Tshwane, where they'll inspect the facilities at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Also part of the inspection package will be an assessment of the local medical facilities and training venues.
"You can't host a major event in your country unless you have the full support of the government," said CEO of the 2010 South African bid committee, Danny Jordaan as he outlined the itinerary for the delegation.
Tomorrow the visitors will meet President Thabo Mbeki in Pretoria and from there it's on to Polokwane, Limpopo, where they'll check out the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Then it's back to Joburg on Saturday, where the five will visit Soccer City and Orlando Stadium. Youngsters will also get the chance to impress at the coaching clinics, hosted by soccer ambassadors George Weah, Abedi Peli, Jessi Queen and Masinga.
Later in the afternoon it's on to Ellis Park to pick up some of the local football flavour, with the Coca Cola quarter final match between Joburg's Kaizer Chiefs and Cape Town squad Ajax.
"This match will play an important role, with the event's managers looking at how well we organise matches, the security, the way tickets are sold, and, of course, the passion of the fans," said Jordaan. "The South African Football Association is the largest footballing association in Africa with the most fans," Jordaan added.
"On 1 November, for the Kaizer Chiefs Ajax game, we would like to encourage all football supporters to come to the stadium and watch the beautiful game. The curtain raiser will be between Kaizer Chiefs u/15 and Supersport u/15," said Kaizer Chiefs public relations officer, Putco Mafani. He warned that no tickets will be sold at the stadium on the day.
Later in the week the Fifa team will visit the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg, then Bloemfontein, where they'll check out the IOC approved anti-doping centre, and Durban, where they'll meet King Goodwill Zwelithini.
In Cape Town, the delegation will check out the Sport Science Institute and the Cape Town Convention Centre before getting the chance to visit Robben Island on their last day in the country.
"We are also planning to have one or two leading South Africans on hand to strengthen our chances," said Jordaan.
"We are ready to host the Soccer World Cup in 2010, as we were ready to host it in 2006," Jordaan added.
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