ACTUALITE |
06.05.2010
South Africa 2010 : The Challenge of Organisation
Many doubted Africa’s capability to host the world football jamboree but all is now set for the event.
Owing to the huge economic benefits which go along with the organisation of the World Cup, it was a ruthless battle to win the bid to organise it in Africa. The argument that was usually raised before was that, Africa lacked the necessary infrastructure to organise a world class event as the FIFA World Cup. Some critics hold that FIFA only consented to organising the World Cup in Africa as a consolatory measure after Issa Hayatou lost election for the presidency of the world football governing body during which he suggested the idea of organising the World Cup in a rotating manner among the different continents or confederations that make up FIFA.
However, South Africa put up strong arguments. With the level of development equal or more than that of many European countries, South Africa stood out clear from the other African candidates as the ‘Big Brother’ of Africa capable of meeting up with the challenge. The anti Apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela even had to throw his weight behind the bid, saying the Rain bow nation needed the World to heal the wounds of the apartheid.
With the battle for organisation won, the challenge to organise the first world Cup on African soil rested on CAF president, Issa Hayatou who was appointed chairman of the organisation committee by Fifa president, Sepp Blatter and Danny Jordaan the CEO of the local organisation committee. From the onset there was much sceptism about South Africa’s ability to lift the challenge and some, like Frank Bekenbauer, even suggested the establishment of a ‘Plan B’ in case South Africa was not ready in time. Finally, South Africa has proved the sceptics wrong, constructing ten world class stadiums and equipping them with “Last Mile” fibre optic broadcasting infrastructure. The best of them is the artistic jewel in Soccer city where the opening encounter will take place between host South Africa and Mexico on June 11. The Rainbow nation also upgraded airports in the country prominent among them is the Oliver Tambo International airport in Johannesburg and the Cape Town international airport. New roads were also constructed with fly-over to ease traffic and some 570 buses put at the disposal of visitors during the World Cup. As concerns, hotels, South Africa happens to be a tourist’s hub with lots of world class hotels. They even put up a special health facility at KwaZula-Natal for World Cup visitors. 49 public viewing areas were also erected.
Having met up with the infrastructural challenge, detractors turned to security concerns. However, the South Africa police service, SAPS, is putting some 40.000 special police men to ensure security during the tournament and has refused entry visas for some British hooligans.
The confederation’s Cup was a litmus test on South Africa’s ability to host the world class event, a test which they passed with credits. The stage is now set for “Woza 2010” Let the feast begin
Fred VUBEM TOH
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