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2009 dress rehearsal for 2010
29/03/2007 08:53 - (SA)
Billy Cooper, Daily Sun
Johannesburg - The 2009 Confederations Cup to be staged as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup finals will determine if South Africa is ready to host football's biggest showpiece.
Bafana Bafana, world champions Italy and the six continental champions will compete in the Confederations Cup in June 2009.
Said 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC) chief executive officer Danny Jordaan: "The Confederations Cup is our big test. It is a test we cannot fail. But we are confident that all the infrastructure will be in place.
"A smoothly run event such as the Confederations Cup 12 months before the World Cup finals will also give us indications on what we need to improve and to fix ahead of the 2010 showpiece."
Depending on which teams qualify, the Confederations Cup could be a big money spinner and tourism boost.
If countries with huge numbers of travelling fans, such as Brazil and Mexico, win their respective continental championships - Conmebol (South America) and the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) - then over 100 000 supporters can be expected to attend the event.
Delighted with the co-operation
Said Jordaan: "It depends on who qualifies but there is always a huge interest in this competition."
Jordaan said he was delighted with the co-operation of the hotel industry ahead of 2010.
"We are on track as regards accommodation for 2009 and 2010. We are also encouraging locals to open up their houses to visitors."
Meanwhile Fifa gave the 2010 LOC a vote of confidence after their recent executive meeting in Zurich.
Fifa boss Sepp Blatter said he had no doubts as to South Africa's readiness to stage the finals despite delays with stadiums and transport links.
Said Blatter: "When we held our last executive meeting in December there were queries and even some doubts. But today all the members stood behind South Africa and the organisation of this competition."
Blatter added that the R9bn the SA government had added to the budget to deal with problems over security, transport and logistics had encouraged the Fifa president to add that South Africa "will do it (run the 2010 finals) and do it well."
- Daily Sun
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