ANCYL calls for 2010 review
2008-01-10 18:02
Johannesburg - The influential youth
league of South Africa's ruling party on Thursday demanded a
review of the committee organising the 2010 soccer World Cup,
describing its members as elitist and out of touch.
South African tycoon Irvin Khoza and a number of cabinet
ministers and aides who are close to South Africa's President
Thabo Mbeki are on the local organising committee (LOC) for the
prestigious tournament.
"The current committee is composed of people, including
government ministers, who want to build their own legacy and use
this event as a vehicle to create personal wealth," the African
National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) said in a statement.
The Youth League has gained more prominence in the party
since helping Jacob Zuma defeat Mbeki in a bitterly contested
battle for the ANC leadership last month.
ANCYL leader Fikile Mbalula has been named to a key inner
circle that guides the party's daily affairs.
A spokesperson for South Africa's 2010 organising committee
expressed surprise at the Youth League's public attack but said
officials would be willing to meet its members to discuss their
concerns.
Open-door policy
"We are always open to discussions and we are willing to
schedule a meeting with them," Tumi Makgabo, the 2010 LOC
spokesperson, said.
"We have an open-door policy and have had meetings with the
ANC Youth League in the past."
The prospect of a political attack from within the ANC
threatens further to complicate the country's preparations for
the World Cup, which will be the first played in Africa.
South African officials have repeatedly had to reassure the
public that the construction of 10 stadiums and other key
infrastructure would be finished in time for the month-long
tournament, which begins on June 11, 2010.
There are now fears that cost overruns and labour unrest
could throw those plans into disarray.
South Africa's high level of violent crime also has cast a
dark cloud over the build-up, with some critics warning that
fans and players could be easy pickings for criminals during
World Cup events in the nine host cities.
Officials at soccer's world governing body Fifa have denied
any plan to strip South Africa of the tournament despite
persistent rumours that Australia, Brazil or the United States
could be approached to step in as last-minute hosts.