Olympic boss sure of 2010 success
Themba Gadebe
30 May 2007International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge has joined several other high-profile sports administrators in expressing confidence in South Africa's ability to host a successful 2010 Fifa World Cup.
"I am absolutely convinced that South Africa in particular, and Africa generally, are capable of hosting this major sporting event," Rogge said in Johannesburg last week.
The IOC chief was visiting Safa House, the headquarters of the 210 Local Organising Committee (LOC).
"Like the Olympics, the Fifa World Cup triggers a lot of expectations in the host country and in the whole world," Rogge said. "Organising it is never easy. But I received a briefing [from the LOC] today and it was very impressive and reassuring."
Rogge commended the LOC, saying it was a "very professional team that set very clear deadlines, and those deadlines were met".
He told the media that during the planning phase of massive undertakings like the Fifa World Cup and the Olympics, the two largest sporting events in the world, it was inevitable that critics would often question the progress of preparations.
"There are always question marks because people don't see anything tangible occurring. The Fifa Confederations Cup in 2009 will make people excited about the Fifa World Cup."
The Confederations Cup, taking place in November 2009, will be the first official Fifa activity in South Africa.
"We see the same with the torch bearing for the Olympics. People want to see before they believe," Rogge said, adding: "The more you progress, the more you see the approval rates augmenting."
He also commended the country for its previous achievements in hosting sporting events. "South Africans have proved themselves to be good athletes in the past and also good organisers, having successfully hosted the IRB Rugby World Cup in 1995 and the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2003."
Rogge was visiting South Africa to familiarise himself with issues relating to sport and Olympics in South Africa and the rest of the continent. He is also visiting Namibia, Lesotho and Zambia on his trip in southern Africa.
Source: BuaNews
