“What I have seen and assurances and guarantees that I have been given makes me a happy man today, and as I am leaving tonight I am convinced that SA will organise a great world cup,” Blatter told a large contingent of local and foreign journalists during a media briefing.
“It gives me a real pleasure to wind up this visit here at Ellis Park, which I visited back in 1993 and which is an exceptional venue. I think that the media should now start focusing on and campaigning for next year's Confederations Cup, give it so much publicity so that people can flock to the stadiums in great numbers,” Blatter added.
He was accompanied by Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo and Local Organising Committee chairman Dr Irvin Khoza.
The stadium, which is a home of rugby team Golden Lions, is located in the old suburb of Doornfontein, near Bertrams. The venue is being refurbished at the cost of R230 million and is 40% complete, Masondo said.
Apart from being one of the 2010's 10 stadiums, Ellis Park will also host the opening and closing ceremonies and games for the Confederations Cup, set to take place 14 - 28 June 2008.
Blatter, who insisted that he was not here on an inspection visit, met with ANC president and SA's ‘next' head of state Jacob Zuma yesterday afternoon at Albert Luthuli House - the party's headquarters in Joburg CBD. The aim, he said, was to seek guarantees that the country's internal politics will not interfere with the World Cup, as per the commitment politicians made during the World Cup bid.
He also said that all the 20 000 workers currently employed in the building of stadiums will be offered each two tickets to watch the world cup. “I told them to realise that the world cup is not only very important for now, but also for the future of the country,” he said.
Again, he lashed out at Bafana Bafana for its dismal performance, saying that the country needs a strong team to inspire teams that coming to play in the two competitions.
Shilowa said the Gauteng province's focus for the world cup was mainly on the stadia, which he said, are on track, public transport and road network. “I call on all taxi organisations to work together with the provincial and local government to ensure that Pretoria and Johannesburg get a safe and efficient public transport during the two events,” the outgoing premier said.
