6-10: A six-man FIFA delegation will arrive in the US to inspect proposed venues as part of the US bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. The delegation will have stops in New York/New Jersey (New Meadowlands Stadium), Washington (FedEx Field), Miami (Sun Life Stadium), Houston (Reliant Stadium) and Dallas (Cowboys Stadium).
OTHER:
* FIFA has issued its official analysis of the 2010 World Cup. It assembled a team of experienced coaches and former players to analyse the 64 matches for tactics, trends and observations before publishing a 289-page document which is available on Fifa.com.
* Brand South Africa, as part of its ‘Legacy’ campaign, has called on South Africans to ‘Fly the Flag’ every Friday until the end of September by doing something in support of the Department of Education's Class of 2010 initiative. Brand South Africa's Legacy campaign aims to leverage the momentum of the 2010 World Cup by providing platforms for South Africans to keep achieving and showcasing their patriotism to the world.
* Government is currently in the process of concluding the
compilation of the close-out report on the hosting of the 2010 FIFA
World Cup by the country.
MEDIA BYTES
Coming from the giddy mountain top thrill of the World Cup, South Africa seems to have plunged into a dark valley – for a number of reasons. We remain mired in an unresolved public sector strike – one marred by death, intolerance, violence and intimidation. The costs of the final settlement – when it eventually must happen – is also likely to strangle the breath out of the taxpayer.
- The Dispatch
VERBATIM
’It is a kick between the legs for every Zimbabwean who brought his skills to SA and helped build the stadiums and roads for the World Cup.’
- Gabriel Sumba, of the Zimbabwe Exiles’ Forum on the SA government’s decision to no longer allow Zimbabweans to enter SA without documents
YOUR FORUM
I am collecting used ticked stubs from the World Cup in South Africa – preferably the final. Please contact me if you can help.
- James (jmonsoon@gmail.com)
The proposed plan to offer amnesty to Zimbabweans who possess illegal South African documentation is accompanied by vast problems, notes an editorial in The Times. ‘How many Zimbabweans will come forward when faced with the real possibility of being sent back to a country from which they escaped in search of economic security? Moreover, we can't ignore the possibility that South Africans might regard this as a go-ahead to revive the xenophobic tendencies that bubbled under the surface after the World Cup.’
North-West University’s Soccer Institute on Thursday confirmed that it will be working in
close cooperation with the South African Football Association (SAFA) and private and public sector bodies to
ensure that Bafana Bafana reaches the final of the 2022
World Cup. ’If we are to succeed in reaching the milestones and achieving
the deliverables we are setting, we will have to work
together,’ said Leslie Sedibe, SAFA’s CEO, who favours a back to
basics approach featuring grassroots, elite and development
elements. ’Our next
challenge is to proceed to the knockout stages and elevate the
success rate of all our national soccer teams.’ Institute director Johan Govea said the targetis attainable. ’By focusing on 2022, South Africa can use the next decade to
identify talent, groom and condition players’.
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Grassroots roll-out on track
The second phase of the Grassroots football program, funded by FIFA, was launched on Wednesday in Mangaung, Bloemfontein.
The initiative will include football development activities in Bloemfontein and Kimberley.
SAFA’s chairman of Youth and Development, Mzwandile Maforvane, said he is pleased with the progress. ’The process is continuing and gaining momentum as we anticipated and we are satisfied with what we have achieved so far. What is left is for us to roll out to all the other regions of SAFA.’
Photo: Project 2010
MAIN NEWS
General: No vuvuzelas at Twenty20 matches
Vuvuzelas will not be permitted at Airtel Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) matches, starting at Wanderers on Friday, 10 September, when the Highveld Lions host Mumbai Indians. Sport24 reports that the CLT20 Governing Council said it is confident that fans will have an enjoyable experience at the matches, given the high quality of cricket on offer, and the top entertainment elements that have been sourced. CLT20 governing council member, Gerald Majola, said: ’We have had various discussions with key stakeholders and we feel the vuvuzela is not appropriate for cricket.’.
SAFA CEO Leslie Sedibe has once again warned the SABC they risk losing their broadcast rights for Bafana Bafana games. Sport24 reports that SAFA will hold talks with the national broadcaster next month - with Sedibe pushing for an improved deal on their current one, which expires in April. ’We know exactly what we want and we have already finalised our broadcast strategy,’ said Sedibe. ’Obviously we want to continue working with the SABC but not under these difficult conditions.’ ’We cannot continue like this because the current contract is ludicrous,’ he said.
The 2010 World Cup was one of the most exciting events ever held in South Africa. A World Cup like no other, hosted on African soil that boasted huge success, entertainment and captured the African spirit of Ubuntu. The Sowetan noted that now soccer fans will be able to own the legacy and embrace the essence of what the World Cup had to offer.
Government and the tourism industry will continue to strengthen their relationship following South Africa’s successful hosting of the 2010 World Cup, said Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk. ’The World Cup opened up a new window of opportunity for the tourism industry. It is up to all of us to make use of this opportunity’ van Schalkwyk said after meeting with several stakeholders in Johannesburg to analyse the impact of the tournament.
Durban has emerged as the only South African city on the starting blocks in the race to host the 2020 Olympic Games after Cape Town, Joburg and Port Elizabeth failed to respond to an invitation to bid from the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc). According to a report on the IoL site, this was confirmed by Sascoc chief executive Tubby Reddy, who said the committee was surprised that Durban was the only city to respond to its call. However, he said Durban had shown strong intent and Sascoc would work with the city in seeking government support for a South African bid.
England coach Fabio Capello has confirmed he will stand down from the role after the Euro 2012 tournament, notes a BBC News report. After a disappointing 2010 World Cup that provoked intense criticism of Capello, England are joint top of Group G after two Euro 2012 qualifying wins. ’We have to qualify first of course but after that I will be too old,’ said the 64-year-old Italian. ’I want to enjoy my life as a pensioner.’ Capello succeeded Steve McClaren in December 2007. His £6m-a-year deal takes him up to the summer of 2012.
