2010
World Cup: The Last 1,000 Days Friday, September 14 marked the
beginning of the final 1,000 days until the opening match of
the World Cup on June 11, 2010. The start of the 1,000 day
countdown was marked by retrospective discussions of
accomplishments to date and planning for what still needs to be
done with extensive South African media coverage provided to
both.
Since
South Africa won the right to host the Cup in May 2004; national,
provincial and municipal governments have been steadily moving
forward on multiple projects in preparation for the big event.
From projects such as stadium construction and renovation that
are directly connected to the Cup to general infrastructure
upgrades in the areas of transport and power, the country has
united behind the desire to put its best on display for the world
to see and experience in 2010.
The South African government has already made $2.5 billion available to provinces and host cities to upgrade stadiums and infrastructure. Many projects are well underway, such as the upgrading of the country’s main airports and the expansion of the Johannesburg stadium in Soccer City to seat nearly 95,000 spectators for the first and last games of the tournament. In fact, according to 2010 Local Organizing Committee chief executive Danny Jordan, construction at Soccer City is ahead of schedule. (Source: southafrica.info September 17, 2007)
Mr. Jordan also said that, “the 1,000 day countdown marks the beginning of the operational phase of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We are running within time and within budget and we are confident that the tournament will be a success. There is a shared vision and commitment by all South Africans that this World Cup must work.” (Source: sa2010.gov.za September 15, 2007)
However, other media sources report that
despite the progress, ongoing challenges remain. A
September 12, 2007 article in the Sunday Times reported that,
“electricity supplies remain erratic, especially during the
winter months of June and July, while visitors to Johannesburg’s
international airport can find themselves stuck for over an hour
to have their passports stamped on entry.”
Still, many feel that visitors will be prepared for a different experience from that of the last Cup in Germany. “What we should be doing is trying to make the World Cup experience uniquely African: where the bus comes 10 minutes late but nobody gives a toss because they are having such a good time,” said Trevor Phillips, the outgoing chief executive of South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (Source: Sunday Times, September 12, 2007).
The U.S. Commercial Service in South Africa is prepared to assist U.S. firms interested in the large range of opportunities currently available in South Africa coming up to the 2010 Cup. Please direct enquiries (with sectors of interest specified please) to Craig Allen, Commercial Officer at Craig.Allen@mail.doc.gov or at +27 11 778-4803.
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