South Africa is due to host the next FIFA World Cup in 2010. But the question is, will they be ready?
According to a recent statement made by FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, there is a “plan B” in place should the Southern African nation fail to be able to host the world tournament.
But Blatter failed to elaborate on the circumstances for which South Africa’s inability to host the Cup rests.
This prompted a statement from FIFA secretary-general, Jerome Valcke, who held a meeting with the 2010 Local Organising Committee Board in Johannesburg last Tuesday.
“All the deadlines we set have been reached and met,” he said. “We are confident that South Africa will be ready to host a hugely successful event in 2010.”
“Only a (natural) catastrophe would prevent South Africa hosting the 2010 spectacle.”
But as Valcke shunned off claims South Africa wouldn’t be ready, LOC chairman Irvin Khoza confirmed reports that one of the ten proposed stadia would not be ready for the 2009 Confederations Cup, which many see as a dress-rehearsal for the World Cup.
I have lived in Johannesburg for five years and consider it my second home to Australia. But South Africa has a huge ‘to do’ list before the tournament commences in June, 2010.
Besides completing six new stadia, and tackling crime and corruption, the construction teams have yet to finish the proposed railway system, Gautrain, which has recently been halted because underground construction on the project caused a major road to collapse.
So if you’re wondering whether South Africa will pull it off, take a number and join the queue.
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