2010: Fifa team to visit sites

2007-10-07 17:56

Johannesburg - A team of Fifa experts will visit sites for the 2010 World Cup this week to assess progress.

The South African organising committee said on Sunday it was confident that the inspection tour - which will include experts in accommodation, marketing, security, and stadium construction - would find preparations for the soccer tournament "well on track."

Observers, however, have been concerned about the country's high crime rate and poor transport system, and whether the stadiums will be finished on schedule.

South African organisers have dismissed the concerns.

"We are sure the inspection team will find a lot of progress has been made since the last tour a year ago, particularly in the areas of stadium construction," organising chief Danny Jordaan said in a statement. "They will see the high quality of programs the host cities have embarked on in transport and airport expansion."

The delegation will gather on Monday in Johannesburg, the venue of the opening and final match. It will also visit the coastal cities of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban.

Inspection visits are standard procedures in the preparation of any Fifa competition.

"We must be realistic to the fact that there is still a lot of work to be done between now and 2010, said Fifa General Secretary Jerome Valcke. "But I want to stress that Fifa continues to have unflinching confidence in South Africa and together we shall undertake to make this first African Fifa World Cup the tremendous success we know it will be."

The results of the visit will be released at a board meeting on October 16.

- AP