Since local organising committee CEO Danny Jordaan first spearheaded South Africa’s campaign to host a World Cup, he has frequently repeated the refrain: “There is no contradiction between African and world class”.
And this country’s favourite sports administrator was at it again following the slick and impressive draw for the 2009 Confederations Cup. Although the “Festival of Champions” is miniscule in terms of the 2010 World Cup, it will still be the biggest football tournament ever hosted on the continent and a key curtain-raiser for the quadrennial showpiece of international football.
As such, all eyes were on South Africa last weekend – the ceremony was broadcast around the world and a large contingent of foreign media attended. It was the second major FIFA event on African soil – following last year’s 2010 Preliminary Draw in Durban – and global football’s governing body has made no secret of its satisfaction.
“The organisation of both these events has been quite perfect. We are looking forward to South Africa making it three successful draws in a row on December 4 next year when we stage the World Cup draw in Cape Town,” said FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, who added that it will dwarf both previous draws.
With a projected global television audience of 400-million for the final draw, South Africa will be the centre of the universe. Until then, there will be other hurdles, including the impasse in Zimbabwe and next year’s national election. Nevertheless, team South Africa has so far produced the goods when it matters.
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