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25 November 2008

With most countries of the world engulfed in the current economic crisis, awarding the 2010 World Cup to South Africa seems to have been a blessing in disguise for the world football governing body FIFA. This came out clearly during a Soccerex Panel discussion on the progress being made with regards to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Members of the panel included Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Danny Jordan, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke and Horst Schmit, a consultant from Germany.

London based Daily Mail journalist Jeff Powell, asked Valcke whether it was a wise move for FIFA to give South Africa the rights to host the world cup in light of the current economic crisis in Europe and America. Valcke admitted that South Africa has not been hit hard by the current economic turmoil but "costs are escalating even in South Africa".

Horst Schmidt from Germany said the current economic crisis has raised concerns about whether people from European countries would be able to come to South Africa in 2010. But LOC CEO Danny Jordan was adamant that football fans will travel with their teams to South Africa in 2010. Said Jordan "We are looking at having 450 000 football fans and the profile of teams like England, Spain, and Italy will help us reach that target. These teams have a huge support and when their fans come to South Africa with a few pounds, they will have more rands in their pockets due to the exchange rate and in terms of that, South Africa becomes an inexpensive destination."

Today's discussion session was one of many that are going to take place at the Soccerex exhibition over the next three days. Soccer bosses from teams like Liverpool, Glasgow Rangers are rubbing shoulders with local stakeholders and exploring new ways of improving the business of the beautiful game.

Issued by: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
25 November 2008
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecpg.gov.za)