SAfrica´s WC2010 readiness praised, challenges remain

June 30, 2009

PRETORIA (AFP) – South Africa’s 2010 readiness got a thumbs up on Monday after a successful Confederations Cup, with organisers confident that hitches will be ironed out ahead of the continent’s first World Cup.

Security passed with no major incident, a critical concern with crime levels in South Africa among the world’s worst, while the football curtainraiser was also praised for unifying South Africans 15 years after democracy.

“The rehearsal, as this tournament has become known, has been very satisfactory. We are happy with the level of commitment shown by the organising committee and the government,” FIFA boss Sepp Blatter told journalists.

The world football body gave organisers a 7.5 out of ten for the Confeds Cup, saying it hoped the score will rise to 10 by next year for the world’s football extravaganza.

Blatter identified transport – hit by reports of bottlenecks at public park-and-ride facilities – and accommodation as areas that needed improvement before 450,000 fans descend on the country.

“One item in question beforehand was security but the organising committee headed by Danny Jordaan have done a very good job – the hospitality and reception by the (local) population has been really remarkable,” said Blatter.

“So I am satisfied with the way the competition went but there are still challenges which will have to be dealt with in terms of transport and accommodation.”

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valke said problems will be discussed at a debriefing on Tuesday.

“There aren’t any problems that won’t be resolved before the draw in December” he added.

Valke expressed confidence in the country’s ability to provide security for the World Cup, saying “South Africa has exceeded expectations during the Confederations tournament”.

Despite a widely-reported theft at the hotel of the Egytian team, police logged 39 criminal cases that consisted mainly incidents of petty theft reported around the stadium vicinity and at two hotels hosting delegations.

During the World Cup, the number of police will be increased to 30,000, according to the organising committee.

Deputy police chief, Andre Pruis said the event’s joint security team was “satisfied that years of planning and preparations resulted in a tournament during which no major security breach occured”.

“We will build on lessons learned and expand on best practices to assist FIFA and the LOC in presenting the best World Cup ever in 2010,” said Pruis.

The World Cup will be played for the first time on African soil with benefits expected to spill over into neighbouring countries.

The event is expected to rack up billions for South Africa, with researchers on Saturday saying that the global crunch was unlikely to affect a 55.7 billion rand (7.1 billion dollars) boost for Africa’s largest economy.

Consulting firm Grant Thornton estimates that 483,257 foreign tourists – including fans, teams, and media – will spend 8.5 billion rand during the month-long tournament to be played in nine host cities.

The Confederations Cup was also lauded for filling stands with fans of different races, with football traditionally supported by black South Africans.

“The tournament drew the most diverse spectators this country has ever seen, that is a huge achievement for us as a nation,” said local organising committee chief Danny Jordaan.

Amid gushing praise, South Africa’s press cautioned that the country had a year to iron out challenges.

“But even the most cynical among the foreign visitors have slowly come to accept that SA will host a world-class Soccer World Cup next year after successfully staging the Confederations Cup.”

Tags: Andre Pruis, bottlenecks, confederations cup, continent, crime levels, critical concern, Danny Jordaan, delegations, FIFA, good job, Grant Thornton, hitches, Jerome Valke, journalists, organising committee, petty theft, pretoria, rehearsal, secretary general, Sepp Blatter, South Africa, south africans, vicinity, World Cup, world football

Pienaar hints at Everton exit

June 9, 2009

LIVERPOOL (AFP) – Steven Pienaar has challenged Everton to prove they are serious about keeping him by coming up with a new long-term deal to ward off interest from Atletico Madrid.

The South African midfielder is a target for the Spanish club and, with only two years remaining on his current deal, admits he could be tempted by a move to La Liga, although he insists he remains happy at Goodison Park for now.

“It is true that I only have two years remaining on my contract,” Pienaar was quoted as saying by Tuesday’s edition of Liverpool’s Daily Post.

“It has been a happy two years at the club so far and I am delighted to have played a small part in the success we have achieved in finishing fifth in consecutive seasons and reaching the FA Cup final, but you never know in football what tomorrow will bring.

“Who knows in one or two years? time where I will be?”

“I am a proud Everton player at present and would welcome it if the club moved to secure my long-term future, but that kind of thing is out of my hands.”

Pienaar added: “I have played in a number of the best leagues in the world, and it has always been my ambition to test myself in La Liga.

“For a player of my type, La Liga will always be an attraction and to play in the Champions League again would be a real thrill.

“I enjoyed playing in the Champions League with Ajax and have been really pleased when I see how my ex-team-mates like Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart have gone on to excel in Spain.

“But at this time I can only reiterate that any speculation regarding my future is exactly that.”

Everton boss David Moyes has moved to reassure Pienaar that the offer of a new deal should be forthcoming by insisting that he does not intend to sell any of his top players.

“People are always going to be linked with your good players, and they might see Everton as not having that much finance, but there’s no way we’ll be letting any of our players leave,” the Scot declared.

“The one thing we’ve got at Everton is stability with our players. They are all under long-term contracts and we don’t need the money.

“I’d like money to spend, but I won’t be giving up any of my players to raise that money.”

Pienaar is currently on international duty with South Africa, who are preparing for the Confederations Cup dress rehearsal for next year’s World Cup finals.