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Blatter: Stadiums will be ready
24/11/2007 15:51 - (SA)
Durban - Fifa president Sepp Blatter is confident all stadiums will be ready on time for the 2010 World Cup, brushing aside worries over striking workers.
His main concern over construction was that not all five stadiums would be ready for the Confederations Cup a year before the tournament, but said enough replacement grounds were available.
"We are not only confident but we are sure that all the construction will be ready for the 2010 World Cup," Blatter said Saturday after visiting Durban Stadium.
"To be transparent, we may not get everything right that we want to have ready for Confederations Cup 2009, but there are enough stadiums available."
After donning a white hardhat, Blatter mingled with workers at the stadium and said that a bonus system to end a strike in Durban last week would likely also apply to others where work has been slow.
Employers agreed
"I am convinced the system of Durban will also go to the other cities as well where there are still some points in discussion," he said.
A continued strike in Durban could have been an embarrassment to the organizers of Sunday's World Cup draw. But it was averted when employers agreed on a R2,000 Christmas bonus and a R4,000 extra bonus at the end of construction for the workers.
Union spokesperson Bonginkosi Mncwabe said workers "have a reason to smile all the way to the bank."
Earlier this week, Fifa raised concerns about the pace of progress on some stadiums, especially the Port Elizabeth stadium in Nelson Mandela bay.
The deadline for completion of World Cup venues is October 2009, while the five stadiums for the June 2009 Confederations Cup have to be ready by next October.
If Port Elizabeth stadium is not ready for the Confederations Cup, another venue will be used.
On top of the promise of bonuses, Blatter also called on the pride of the workers to proceed swiftly.
"I told the workers: 'You are at the basis of this event which is not only to build a house but which is an event which will leave a legacy to you, your family, to your country, the whole African continent,"' he said.
South Africa was awarded the 2010 World Cup three years ago. Since then, there have been concerns about delays in stadium and infrastructure construction, lack of public transport and the high crime rate.
- AP
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