Craig Urquhart

It’s safe to say that 2009 will be the most important year in this country’s sporting history. In just six months, some of the giants of international football (including Brazil and Italy) will compete in the Confederations Cup. With a $17-million prize fund, it will be the biggest sporting event ever staged on the African […]

What a long, strange year it’s been. South Africa’s preparations for the 2010 World Cup have been marked by extraordinary highs and lows. Nobody said it was going to be easy and for South Africa, gearing to host the biggest event single-code sporting event on the planet, 2008 has certainly proved to be more than […]

The hideous attack on the Indian city of Mumbai has once again demonstrated that terrorism has no boundaries. And with the spotlight now shifting to South Africa as the hosts of the next mega global sporting event, concerns over this country’s security have been raised. The Sunday Times warns that we must be vigilant: “The […]

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 […]

South Africa’s preparations to host the 2010 World Cup face the next hurdle with this weekend’s draw for the 2009 Confederations Cup. It’s no secret that the “Festival of Champions”, which pits continental winners against the holders (Italy) and hosts of the World Cup, is a key curtain-raiser for 2010, both on and off the […]

With the passing of legendary singer Miriam Makeba, South African music is once again in the international spotlight. Perhaps this is an opportune moment to reflect on the chorus of local music that is taking shape in the build-up to 2010. In 2000 when a FIFA delegation first visited these shores to assess SA’s readiness […]

In the dead of night, the Durban city centre is not for the faint-hearted. Like many CBDs around the world, criminals use the cover of darkness to operate and soft-targets – like tourists – are particularly vulnerable. But for one wonderful weekend a few months ago, the port city was one of the safest on […]

There was an interesting development at FIFA headquarters in Zurich over the weekend, which went largely unnoticed by the local media. Perhaps it’s not altogether surprising given the current political climate which is dominating the headlines, but we should all take heed of this development. At its third executive committee meeting of the year, global […]

At a recent media briefing with FIFA Communications Director Hans Klaus, a journalist said (tongue-in-cheek, we hope) that the sport’s governing body should “fix” next year’s Confederations Cup to ensure that South Africa’s not-so-beloved Bafana Bafana won the tournament. That way, he suggested, the world would finally take the 2010 World Cup hosts seriously. This […]

The public relations machinery responsible for selling the 2010 World Cup to the rest of the planet is finally grinding into gear. It’s no secret that South Africa has taken a beating in terms of its international media coverage since it was awarded the rights to host the world’s biggest single-code sporting event. With each […]

Spare a thought for the tens of thousands of South Africans – and Africans – who are creating (and stockpiling) World Cup-themed products. Young KwaZulu-Natal artist Sicelo Ziqubu is creating 2010-themed papier-mâché decorated thrones, which are being snapped up. Tomas Majebe from Cameroon is making a “small fortune” selling his oil on canvas 2010 stadium […]

The latest Human Science Research Council survey reveals that white South Africans are worried about the success of the 2010 World Cup. However, the survey also indicates “this by no means implies that they care less about hosting the mega event”. Furthermore, “at least 95% of white South Africans have consistently perceived there to be […]