July 5, 2006
By Southafrica.info Reporter
FROM Monday 10 July the eyes of the world will be on South Africa as the country prepares to host the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Speaking ahead of the official handover on Friday, Fifa and South African officials said they were pleased with the country's state of readiness.
South African president Thabo Mbeki will be unveiling the 2010 Fifa World Cup logo at a handover ceremony in Berlin on Friday, four years ahead of the event.
This is the earliest that a World Cup logo has been unveiled. The logo for the 2006 event was announced two years ahead of the tournament.
The handover ceremony, called "Africa Calling", will see South African performers Freshlyground, Johnny Clegg and Jabu Khanyile sharing the stage with many of Africa's soccer superstars such as Roger Milla, George Weah and South Africa's own Lucas Radebe.
'Win in Africa'
The ceremony is part of a plan led by Mbeki and Fifa president Sepp Blatter called "Win In Africa With Africa", designed to ensure the entire African continent shares in the success of the 2010 World Cup.
"South Africans should wake up on Monday, July 10, with a real determination to make 2010 the best World Cup ever.
"Fifa went out of its way to have a World Cup in Africa and there's no trepidation at all about having it there and having it delivered, " Michael Palmer, head of Fifa's 2010 World Cup office said in a recent interview with The Star.
"But we have bigger hopes for this, that the 2010 World Cup will change the world's perception of the African continent and provide wonderful opportunities for people in the future.
"The hope is that it will be the sporting event that does the most good for a country and a continent," said Palmer.
Advanced stage
At a press conference in Berlin on Tuesday, Blatter said that the 2006 tournament set a high standard for South Africa in four years’ time, and reminded journalists that doubts had been expressed about Germany's ability to host the final four years ago.
Blatter was convinced that South Africa was more than capable of hosting one of the world's largest events.
South Africa's preparations for the World Cup are at an advanced stage, with 75 percent of the Fifa contracts already signed.
According to deputy foreign affairs minister Aziz Pahad, Mbeki will join the thousands of fans watching the World Cup final in Berlin on Sunday.
South African musicians will be performing for the crowd immediately after the Sunday night final.
Source: The official South African portal: southafrica.info
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