April 4, 2007
By Lucky Sindane
PROGRESS in the preparations for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup was "pleasing", according to the Fifa general secretary, Urs Linsi.
He was speaking at the second meeting of the board of directors of the world cup organising committee, held on 2 and 3 April at Safa House. Linsi said he was impressed by the progress the Local Organising Committee (LOC) had made in the past two months.
Speaking at a press briefing after the meeting, Linsi said, "If you look back at what has happened since the last time we were here for our first board meeting and stadiums inspection tour, I can say that I'm pleased with the progress made.
"If you look outside you will no longer recognise Soccer City. Progress is really visible," Linsi said, pointing to the construction work at the stadium.
There was also Safa House, where Safa (South African Football Association); Fifa (Federation of International Football Associations); the LOC; and Match, the Fifa-accredited ticketing and accommodation agency, were all housed under one roof.
"The fact that a record 204 associations have registered to participate in the 2010 Fifa World Cup is another sign that the world is waiting for 2010. The entire football world is eager to be here. This is the spirit of the 2010 Fifa World Cup going out to the entire football world. It is a commitment from the football world that this is the right place to host the tournament," Linsi said.
Work on the construction of five new stadiums is well under way, beating the LOC's deadline for construction to begin by the end of the first quarter of 2007.
The LOC chairman, Irvin Khoza said, "Work on … the five existing venues must begin by the second quarter of 2007, and we are well on track to meet that deadline as well.
"It was agreed that it was important for Fifa and the LOC to continue to monitor progress closely and ensure there is no loss of momentum so that the stadiums can be handed over by 31 October 2009, as was previously announced."
He also urged locals to do proper research before they spent a lot of money in an effort to benefit from the soccer spectacular.
"I am aware that some people living near the Orlando Stadium are renovating their houses, turning them into bed and breakfasts, and some people are [buying] washing machines, hoping to wash jerseys of the participating countries, not being aware that teams might bring 30 different kits," Khoza said.
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