National News

FIFA hopes Mandela will attend

2010-06-02 14:41
Email | Print
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Related Links

Johannesburg - FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Wednesday he hopes Nelson Mandela will attend the opening of the World Cup next week, even though his family has said that he is too old to go to the stadium.

"The right legacy for this event here in South Africa will be; let's celebrate Africa's humanity. First of all, who is the most charismatic humanist in the world still alive? Nelson Mandela," Blatter told reporters in Soccer City, venue for the opener in Johannesburg.

"We do hope so that he will be at the opening of the World Cup here in this stadium, and this will be the highlight," Blatter added.

The former president turns 92 next month, and rarely appears in public. His grandson Mandla Mandela said in late April that the Nobel Peace Prize winner would watch the opening match at home.

"My grandfather at this age is very elderly and we are not trying to intensify his programme," the grandson told AFP during a trip to India.

"He's said he would prefer to be at home in the rural countryside to spend time at the farm."

Nelson Mandela made his last public appearance on February 11, when he visited Parliament to mark the 20th anniversary of his release from prison.

Follow Sport24 on Twitter and Facebook

 

Live Video Streaming
Show full schedule
Video Highlights
Show more videos
Sport Talk
  • So good they have to win - Right?
    The Elephants of the Ivory Coast are everybody’s tournament favourites for this competition in...
    • Breaking News

    Updated: Hottest SWC WAGs

    Updated: Hottest SWC 2010 WAGs

    Daily SWC Galleries

    Latest World Cup action with our daily galleries.

    Logs
    P W PTS
    P W PTS
    P W PTS
    P W PTS
    P W PTS
    P W PTS
    P W PTS
    P W PTS
    Previous Results

    Date Home Team Result Away Team
    Vote

    World Cup 2010 is over and the country is returning to normal - but have you moved on yet?

    Twitter Follow Sport24 on Twitter

    Newsletters Sign up for Sport24's Morning Glory newsletter

    Blogs Yes your opinion counts. Get it out there

    WIN Enter and win with Sport24!

    Mobile Sport24 on your mobile phone - WAP, alerts, downloads, services

    BlackBerry Stay in the loop on your BlackBerry

    iPhone Latest Sport24 news on your iPhone

    Facebook "Like" Sport24's Facebook page

    TV schedule Plan your couch time with our searchable sport TV guide

    RSS Feeds Sport news delivered really simply.

     
    There are new stories on the homepage. Click here to see them.