Shilowa
27 November 2006
Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa has assured delegates to the Soccerex in
Dubai that South Africa will be ready to host the FIFA World Cup in 2010.
Shilowa said Soccerex will provide delegates coming to South Africa next
year and the coming two years an opportunity to see for themselves the progress
being made to prepare for the biggest soccer tournament in the world.
"Once Soccerex starts people will see the quality of infrastructure we
have," he said.
The Premier, FIFA World Cup 2010 local organising committee chairperson
Irvin Khoza, and Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC Barbara Creecy
addressed media concerns ranging from South Africa's readiness for 2010 to
measures to reduce congestion during the soccer tournament.
Khoza said all outstanding issues had been resolved and the process of
tendering for the building of five new stadiums would be finalised by the end
of December this year.
South Africa's readiness was also confirmed by FIFA president Sepp Blatter
who said: "South Africa can and will be ready to host a successful Soccer World
Cup. They will because they are able to."
He added: "South Africa will do a wonderful job. We must trust them. It will
be different from the German World Cup but it will be wonderful."
Shilowa is set to receive the rights to host the Soccerex from the Asian
Football Association.
Soccerex, the only business-to-business convention for football and now in
its 10th year, is attended by football legends, top football clubs and
football-playing nations are regular participants at the event.
Business deals made at the exhibition are estimated to be R5 billion. These
deals are expected to increase to R7 billion when the exhibition comes to
Gauteng from 2007 to 2009.
Enquiries:
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
27 November 2006
