SWC 'will help educate youth'

2010-03-02 10:19

Durban - The Soccer World Cup's legacy for South Africa is the education of youth through football, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said in Durban on Monday.

"[FIFA president] Sepp Blatter put his head on the block by putting his confidence in SA," Motlanthe told a gala dinner in Durban to celebrate 100 days before the start of the soccer tournament.

He commended the work done by world soccer body FIFA, construction workers, engineers and sport administrators to prepare for the tournament, which starts on June 11.

"We have ensured that we will host a successful tournament and that the quality of life for the vast majority of South Africans improves."

Importance for SA

Earlier, Blatter spoke of the importance of bringing the World Cup to South Africa.

"I was sure when I opened that envelope in 2004 that it would be Bafana Bafana," he said referring to the day South Africa was announced as the country to host the tournament.

He thanked host cities and governments for building stadiums that would enter "architectural history".

South Africa had launched a programme called Football for Home in Cape Town, to educate the youth and teach life skills.

This would not only benefit South Africa, but youth throughout the world.

"Playing football and going to school are the main... things. Football is important to the world," Blatter said.

He also hoped former president Nelson Mandela would be present at the kick off.

"There was no way I could speak about this World Cup without talking about Nelson Mandela," Blatter said.

- SAPA