South Africans confident of 2010 success
9 Sep 2009
Despite negative reports about the 2010 FIFA World Cup's ‘mediocre' marketing, an independent study has found that 89% of South Africans are well aware of the grandeur of the event and are confident that the soccer feast will be a resounding success, as the focus now shifts to the final draw to be held in Cape Town on 4 December 2009.
This high score reflects a higher sensitivity to all aspects of hosting the FIFA World Cup and an anxious enthusiasm to put on a good show for the watching world, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) said.
Final draw production
Combined Artists Productions - which produced the preliminary draw in November 2007 in Durban and the FIFA Confederations Cup draw in November 2008 - is the company chosen to produce the stage and the show of the final draw, which will determine who meets who, LOC CEO Danny Jordaan told a press briefing held yesterday, Tuesday, 8 September 2009, in Sandton, Johannesburg. The stage and set have been designed and are in the process of final sign-off before commissioning commences.
“Combined Artists Productions has already proven its ability to put on productions that are world-class and that capture the unique spirit of South Africa and we are excited to be working alongside them to host this very important event,” said OC chairman Dr Irvin Khoza.
“The final draw in Germany attracted a cumulative television audience of 134.5 million individuals and was shown live in 137 countries, so clearly this is a huge opportunity for us to showcase our country to a watching world. I am confident that we will put on a show to remember,” added Khoza.
Over 200 million
It is believed that more than 2000 guests will watch the final draw live and close to 1000 media professionals will cover the event, with TV audiences set to reach over 200 million individuals.
With only 270 days left until the world cup kick-off, the organisers acknowledged that challenges such as crime, transportation, potential hooliganism, accommodation and the completion of stadia have to be overcome ‘as soon as possible' as the world is starting to feel the excitement of the world's biggest soccer event, thanks to ‘aggressive' marketing.
Jordaan, who said that the LOC is currently engaging all the stakeholders in the transport sector, announced that the construction work of stadia - now between 80 and 92% complete - is set to be wrapped up in October 2009.
Asked about potential hooliganism, FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said, “We are working together with not only national federations, but also with various police departments to ensure that they do not come here.”
Support is strong
Support for the tournament both locally and abroad is strong - at the close of applications for the Volunteering Programme on 31 August, 67 999 people from 170 countries had applied to be in SA next year to help deliver the event.
The OC board also announced the reappointment of former Minister in the Office of the Presidency, Dr Essop Pahad, to the board.
About Issa Sikiti da Silva
Issa Sikiti da Silva is a winner of the 2010 SADC Media Awards (print category). He freelances for various media outlets, local and foreign, and has travelled extensively across Africa. His work has been published both in French and English. He used to contribute to Bizcommunity.com as a senior news writer.
