Africa's calling
- 8 Jul 06, 01:55 PM
The next World Cup will be in South Africa and there are concerns over lots of issues to do with the host country.
But, while I still have worries, they've been slightly eased after the official handing over ceremony to South Africa.
The great and the good from Africa and the country's football world turned up in force for the gala event and showed the world their determination and motivation to put on the 'best ever' World Cup.
South Africa president Thabo Mbeki and United Nations general secretary Kofi Annan led a list of speakers who all spoke impressively about hosting the competition.
The African singers, music and dancers added the kind of atmosphere, colour and charm to the show which is hoped the 2010 tournament will evoke.
And, speaking to one member of the organising committee, he emphasised that South Africa and the African continent as a whole want to radiate a warmth to the rest of the world.
The sentiment to match their high hope is certainly in abundance but now they have to match it in other respects.
Can South Africa improve its infrastructure in time to host the competition? Have they got the organisational capacity to stop matters spiralling out of control? Can they reduce the crime level to make fans feel safe?
Those are just three of the main questions and highlight some of the fears people have.
The Africa's Calling ceremony suggested they can and, if the grandiose words can be matched by action, the first World Cup in Africa should be one to remember for the right reasons.
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I'm absolutely sure that the 2010 worldcup will be a very unigue one with a very special atmosphere. Africa deserves to host an event like this. Nevertheless I'm deeply concerned if there will be any chance for an average southafrican football fan to get into the stadium (the average charge for a league game in South Africa is 2,50 euro as I learnt...).
It would be a catastrophe for football if the real fans cannot be part of the party because they can't afford the ticket prices.
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We are constantly told that Africa "deserves" to host the games. But the logic to that statement is flawed. We should not give the World Cup to countries that "deserve" it, but to those countries that can host the best World Cup. The WC is not a medal of honour to be placed around the neck of nations, it is a tournament for players, teams and fans. It is they who "deserve" a World Cup, and what they deserve is hospitality, safety, affordable tickets and great football. If South Africa can provide these things, then they are entitled to host the WC, but I don't agree with the logic FIFA should hand out the World Cup to the most deserving cause. The most deserving cause should always be football.
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FIFA is attempting to globalize football, so it is only to be expected that they try to create events all around the globe. Which is a good thing in my opinion, otherwise international football with implode in a series of boring European tournaments with a couple of South American special guests.
As for South Africa it is a huge gamble, but if it pays off we will have an extraordinary World Cup in 2010. I have travelled a lot in subsaharian Africa (not in South Africa itself, though) and I have always met friendly, enthusiastic people that bent backward to overcome the difficulties and make me feel at home.
I look forward to 2010 for a great football experience, and I am not ruling off a trip over there - which I wouldn't consider doing if the cup was held in a country I am already familiar with, especially if I risk to walk into a pizza boycott or something ;)
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I was at the Rugby World Cup in 1995, and the atmosphere was fantastic. I really do think it can work as the stadiums are there, the enthusiasm is there and the fans are there.
However I do share those reservations expressed here that ticket prices may be beyond the reach of many local fans.
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South Africa's has already hosted major sporting events such as the Rugby World Cup and Cricket World Cup i'm pretty sure it will do a good job of the Football World Cup.
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Security will be a big issue in south africa. I am originally from there and go back every few years, 2003 the last time. It's really not possible in some cities to go walkabout, although crowds give strength in numbers. Certain 'tsotsi's' or street thieves/muggers will be of course rubbing their hands at the prospect of hundreds of thousands of supporters roaming around. Having said that, theres a lot of things to do between games and the country is truly beautiful, splendid. It would be a waste to go ONLY for the football, so check out game reserves, mountains, beaches. It will be in the southern 'winter', so teams like england won't be too disadvantaged!
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FIFA World Cup is a global event that must be globalized, however, caution must be excercised to avoid rubishing its intergrity. I do beleive The like of Nigeria and South Africa have what it takes to host the world when it comes an all-important event such as the World Cup. The cultural diversity will add to the beauty of the tournament.
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South Africa has already hosted the Rugby & Cricket World Cup with great success. Most of the stadiums and infrastructure are already there so there is more than enough time to put together the finishing touches.
Make sure you're well armed (with beer), well protected (with sun block), and can run away quickly - we have lions in the streets you know!!
On a more serious note one has to be vigilant in SA but every country has it's crime and bad areas. Not every country can boast beautiful game farms, endless sandy beaches, wide open spaces & a chance to escape the rat race.
The world cup in South Africa will be as good as any, plus value for money for travellers and I'm sure for many, a first chance to visit Africa. Bring it on!!
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I think South Africa are capable of hosting the 2010 event. In the past South
Africa has successfuly hosted events such as the Cricket World Cup, Rugby
World Cup, Africa Nations Cup and the All Africa Games.
However, the scale of these events was not as big the FIFA World Cup and so
South Africa has to work very hard to get to the next level to host a truly
global event for the first time.
The real problem for me is the crime level especially violent crime. This
South Africa has to deal with and how I don't know because its very complex
and the causes of that crime have to be looked at as well.
Its good that FIFA decided to give South Africa the right to host this event
and I think it will be a special World Cup.
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I'm from South Africa originally, and while the country has loads of problems and all that money could be better spent on AIDS medcine and housing and jobs, the country is definitely capable of hosting the tournament, as they have already hosted the World Rugby and cricket cups.
South Africa is not Liberia or the Congo. There is no civil war going on and the infrastructure is there. I think a lot of people have some strange notions about South Africa. So to help you orientate yourselves:
These questions about South Africa were posted on a South African Tourism Website and were answered by the website owner.
Q: Does it ever get windy in South Africa? I have never seen it rain on TV, so how do the plants grow? (UK)
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.
Q: Will I be able to see elephants in the street? (USA)
A: Depends how much you've been drinking.
Q: I want to walk from Durban to Cape Town - can I follow the railroad tracks? (Sweden)
A: Sure, it's only two thousand kilometres take lots of water ...
Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in South Africa? (Sweden)
A: So it's true what they say about Swedes.
Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in South Africa? Can you send me a list of them in JHB, Cape Town, Knysna and Jeffrey's Bay? (UK)
A: What did your last slave die of?
Q: Can you give me some information about Koala Bear racing in South Africa? (USA)
A: Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the pacific. A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe which does not... oh forget it. Sure, the Koala Bear racing is every Tuesday night in Hillbrow. Come naked.
Q: Which direction is north in South Africa? (USA)
A: Face south and then turn 90 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.
Q: Can I bring cutlery into South Africa? (UK)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.
Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is...oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Hillbrow, straight after the Koala Bear races. Come naked.
Q: Do you have perfume in South Africa? (France)
A: No, WE don't stink.
Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in South Africa?(USA)
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.
Q: Can you tell me the regions in South Africa where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes, gay nightclubs.
Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in South Africa? (France)
A: Only at Christmas.
Q: Are there killer bees in South Africa? (Germany)
A: Not yet, but for you, we'll import them.
Q: Are there supermarkets in Cape Town and is milk available all year round? (Germany)
A: No, we are a peaceful civilisation of vegan hunter-gatherers. Milk is illegal.
Q: Please send a list of all doctors in South Africa who can dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA)
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca, which is where YOU come from. All South African snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.
Q: I was in South Africa in 1969, and I want to contact the girl I dated while I was staying in Hillbrow. Can you help? (USA)
A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.
Q: Will I be able to speek English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.
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im not sure about it being in south africa.
Its very far away and i honestly never heard of any major football stadiums in south africa.
but yet it would be different.
whens the world cup going to australia?
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@Theo: Man, you're killing me! I nearly wet myself reading this... :-)
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I dunno about hosting the World Cup in South Africa. I mean how is everyone going to get there without being either eaten alive by cannibals or getting trampled by elephants on the way to the stadium. PS this is what we call "tongue in cheek".
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