Tournament News
Jordaan: We will make history
2009-11-19 14:30
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Johannesburg - The CEO of the 2010 World Cup, Danny Jordaan, on Thursday promised South Africa would stage the best ever final draw in Cape Town on December 4 - and the best World Cup in FIFA's history.
An upbeat Jordaan was speaking during the flag raising ceremony held at SAFA House on Thursday, where the flags of the 32 countries competing at the World Cup next June will fly from now until the end of tournament on July 11.
Said Jordaan: "This (flag raising ceremony) is an emotional event for the 32 countries involved who can see their flags flying proudly, but we will show the world what they have been missing for the past 100 years by making this World Cup in Africa - the first ever in FIFA's 100 year plus history - the best ever."
Jordaan said six of the new stadiums being built for the soccer showpiece would be in the top 10 of the best stadiums in the world and added: "In fact two (including the magnificent Soccer City next to SAFA House) would be in the top six of the world's best stadiums.
Jordaan said with the flag raising ceremony completed, the story line for journalists had changed. "There can be no more questions about whether the stadiums will be ready - they are all on schedule and some will be completed earlier than schedule.
"The story now moves to the teams in the finals, the players, coaches and most importantly, the fans. It is the supporters who will be arriving here in their hundreds of thousands to support their countries and we will make sure we make them feel at home."
Jordaan issued a challenge to the 31 ambassadors of the qualifiers who attended Thursday's ceremony to make sure they put bums on seats.
Said Jordaan: "Bafana fans must respond in vast numbers and make sure the stadiums are full. But we are expecting big things from the 31 countries who have qualified.
"I will be conducting monthly briefings from now on as regards ticket sales."
Jordaan said he was looking for bigger numbers that arrived in Germany for the 2006 World Cup, from countries such as Holland, who topped the list with 150 000 fans, England had 100 000 Japan 45 000 and Mexico 35 000.
A total of between 450 000 and 500 000 fans are expected to attend the month long tournament.
South Africa's poor crime record was again highlighted by foreign journalists, but Jordaan stressed he expected a secure event.
"South Africa have hosted 140 world class events since 1994 without one single problem, including June's Confederations Cup, the cricket and rugby world cups and many other major international events without any trouble.
"We have done our homework as making sure fans, teams and officials will be safe at match venues and training grounds.
"We do not anticipate any problems. We have had 9.8 million visitors to South Africa this year. My responsibility is to ensure match and training venues, hotels where fans and teams are staying, are secure and this I can guarantee.
The dignitaries were welcomed by the Minister of Co-operation and Traditional Affairs Sicelo Shiceka and the president of the South African Football Association, Kirsten Nematandani, who brought the good wishes of former President Nelson Mandela to the countries who have qualified.
Said Nematandani: "Madiba was instrumental in securing the World Cup, but unfortunately he could not be here but sends his best wishes to the qualifiers."