SOCCER
Time no longer a luxury
Posted Thu, 13 Jul 2006

Time is no longer a luxury for the South African Local Organising Committee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup as they only have three years left to ensure that South Africa is ready to host the tournament.

Everything must be in place for the soccer showpiece by the 2009 Confederations Cup, warned FIFA marketing and television director Jerome Valcke.

"South Africa has to be ready by 2009 for the Confederations Cup. 2009 is tomorrow and we must start moving now. The LOC who were in Germany recently realised that it is a huge event," said Valcke at a function held at the Radio 702 studios, which included some of the high profile members of the LOC, business and government.

Valcke also stated that South Africa was under obligation to follow in the footsteps of Germany and that it should host a World Cup uniquely South African.

But Valcke was quick to tender advice to South Africa to improve their transportation infrastructure, accommodation, security and communications, as these are the basic necessities in hosting a World Cup.

"South Africa does not need to do the same as Germany. South Africa must have their own World Cup. There are a few things that have to be in place like the improvement of transportation, the availability of enough accommodation, adequate security for the millions of people that will be coming here and also the communication infrastructure for television and radio signals," said Valcke.

Valcke, though, does believe that South Africa is more than capable of hosting a successful World Cup as FIFA is confident that South Africa already has the bulk of the 10 stadiums in place and has tabled the nine host cities required to host the 64 matches.

Speculation has also been rife that government will be discussing incentives and exemptions on fulfilment of certain legislation concerning Black Economic Empowerment compliance for multinational and foreign companies who are affiliated with the FIFA World Cup.

Valcke quashed that speculation saying that most of the FIFA sponsors were companies already established in South Africa and that the South African government have signed an obligation agreement with FIFA which left them with no say on how foreign companies conduct their affairs during the staging of the World Cup.

"Most of the companies are already based here in South Africa. It is part of the obligation of the government not to interfere as they signed an agreement with us. FIFA is paying for the World Cup so we have the right to choose whichever companies we want. Even if companies are not compliant, they will be part of the World Cup.

"However, it will not happen that a company goes against the government. After all this is a non-discussion," said Valcke.

Sapa