Mbeki: Soccer is SA's future
2005-11-21 12:39
Johannesburg - Soccer was central to the life and future of South Africa, President Thabo Mbeki said on Monday.
Speaking at a sod turning ceremony for Safa headquarters, Mbeki reassured international sporting bosses - including Fifa president Sepp Blatter - that South Africa was ready to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
"This is the people's sport. Let us have a place where we can work and have good leadership in the soccer fraternity," Mbeki said.
In a joke to other soccer moguls, among them Irvin Khoza, Ted Dumitru, Danny Jordaan, and Molefi Olifant, Mbeki said he would not mind succeeding Olifant as Safa president in 2009.
Meanwhile, Blatter said it was an historic day for South Africa and South African football.
"This is a ground-breaking ceremony, a great honour for me. Now, South Africa, remember from July 2006 the world will be focused on Africa," Blatter said.
- SAPA