2010 WC to be the best: Motlanthe
Michael Appel
29 September 2008
South Africa is still on track to host the best Fifa World Cup ever despite recent changes in the government, newly-elected president Kgalema Motlanthe said during his televised address to the country on Sunday.
Motlanthe last week personally reassured Fifa president Sep Blatter of the South African government's full and continued support for both next year's 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup and the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
"As you know, the 2010 Fifa World Cup is one of our major projects as a nation and a continent," he said. "We remain on course to host in 2010 the best FifaWorld Cup ever - an African World Cup."
"We would like to assure Africa and the world that the deadlines set by Fifa will be met."
During the conversation, Motlanthe informed Blatter of the composition of his new cabinet, and also expressed his satisfaction with the infrastructure preparations to date.
Motlanthe further told Blatter that South Africa's hosting of the World Cup was a testimony to the achievements of a young democracy.
Unforgettable success
"I want to thank Mr Motlanthe for taking the time today to personally inform me about the situation, as this underlines the importance of the 2010 Fifa World Cup to the South African government," Blatter said during the telephone conversation.
"I was pleased to hear from him that the World Cup is fully supported by all political and governmental authorities, and that everything will be done to make 2010 and unforgettable success."
Blatter also reassured Motlanthe that Fifa remained committed to supporting and assisting in local preparations, while also having full confidence and trust in South Africa's organisational capabilities.
During Blatter’s recent courtesy visit to South Africa, former President Thabo Mbeki told the media that political change was inevitable in the country, but that the World Cup would not be affected.
Source: BuaNews
