Improvements for 2010
2009-06-30 14:17
Johannesburg - An improvement of transport, accommodation and security will ensure a successful 2010 World Cup tournament, Government Communications said on Tuesday.
A detailed assessment of all logistical arrangements, including transport, accommodation and security, would put the country in a better position to host a successful World Cup, spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso said in a statement.
"The success of the Confederations Cup puts all doubt to rest and reconfirms the inevitable: that, indeed, South Africa will deliver a successful 2010 Fifa World Cup, for the first time on African soil, in a period of less than a year from now."
Rikhotso said the transport system had to be reassessed. Only a few crimes were reported during the Confederations Cup.
"The government of the Republic of South Africa congratulates all those involved in making the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup a resounding success," Rikhotso said.
South Africans had shown their hospitality and spirit of ubuntu to visitors to the country.
International perceptions
He congratulated national soccer team Bafana Bafana on their impressive performance that saw them make it to the tournament's semi-finals.
"The 2010 Fifa World Cup provides us with an opportunity to change perceptions of the international community about our continent, Africa, and the host country, South Africa - and the Confederations Cup has given soccer spectators from around the world a glimpse of our capacity to compete with the best in the world," Rikhotso said.
Only four stadiums - Coca Cola Park (Johannesburg), Royal Bafokeng (Rustenburg), Loftus Versveld (Tshwane) and Free State stadium (Bloemfontein) - were used during the Confederations Cup and "passed the test with flying colours".
The remaining stadiums, such as Soccer City (Johannesburg), Green Point Stadium (Cape Town), Peter Mokaba Sports Complex (Polokwane), Moses Mabhida (Durban) and Mbombela Stadium (Nelspruit), were nearing completion. Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth) had been completed already.
"We are confident that despite the global economic downturn, the 2010 Fifa World Cup will contribute positively to our economy and help us attract more investment and grow our tourism figures," Rhikotso concluded.
- SAPA