Security Main Concern For South Africa One Year From World Cup
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Nine Of 10 Stadiums Hosting '10 World Cup
Matches Slated To Be Completed By December |
The '10 FIFA World Cup begins one year from today in South Africa and it "isn't the construction of stadiums or transportation systems that organizers are most concerned about," according to Michelle Kaufman of the MIAMI HERALD. Organizers are "working furiously to convince the rest of the world they can host such a massive event and keep fans safe from violent crime." Out of the 64 matches scheduled, 28 "already are sold out," while "more than 93,000 tickets have been sold" in the U.S alone. The "success of the monthlong tournament is crucial for South Africa's future and officials know fan security is of utmost importance." The eight-team Confederations Cup "begins Sunday at four of the 10 stadiums that will be used next summer." The event is "considered a dry run for the World Cup, though it is a much smaller event and draws far fewer fans." As for South Africa's infrastructure, "nine of 10 stadiums are expected to be ready by December, and the last, in Cape Town, is expected to be completed by February." The "one area that is lagging -- and of great concern to FIFA officials -- is transportation." A new bus network is "behind schedule because of feuds with minibus taxi drivers" (MIAMI HERALD, 6/11). REUTERS' Agnieszka Flak reported the South African government is spending US$161.8M on security, which includes "new helicopters, surveillance equipment -- including unmanned drones -- vehicles and body armour." South Africa Police Senior Superintendent Vish Naidoo said that "around 700 officers will patrol every stadium in addition to an army of private security guards" (REUTERS, 6/9).
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FIFA President Sepp Blatter Believes '10 World
Cup In South Africa Will Be A "Big Success" |
COUNTING TO 10: REUTERS' Barry Moody noted the World Cup "will be the biggest sporting event ever held in Africa," and the continent's "future reputation and chances of holding more mega-events -- with the huge investment that they bring -- will hang on its success." The signs are "getting better even though concerns persist, especially over crime, accommodation and transport." South Africa's preparations for the event were "once dogged by stadium delays, labour unrest, bureaucratic and political disputes and an obsession in the local media" that FIFA created a "'plan B' to move it elsewhere." But more recently officials have been "queuing up to praise the preparations." FIFA President Sepp Blatter: "I am sure the World Cup in South Africa is going to be a big, big success." FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said that the organization "believed at least 450,000 foreign fans would come for the tournament and ticket sales, which are released on a staggered basis, were already heavily oversubscribed." Demand is "expected to increase when fans know which teams have qualified, by November." The event is "expected to smash all records for revenue, topped by huge television rights deals, especially" in the U.S. (REUTERS, 6/9).
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