One Year to South Africa -- Blatter Proud of 2010 World Cup

South Africa World Cup CEO Danny Jordaan said the event is “an accepted reality.”(Getty Images) One year to the opening match, optimism rules for organizers of the first FIFA World Cup in Africa. FIFA presidentSepp Blattertells Around the Rings he’s “proud” of how it’s all unfolding, while the World Cup CEO says the event is an “accepted reality”.

“With one year to go to the tournament's kickoff, finally it’s a given, an accepted reality,” says Danny Jordaan in a release marking the June 11 milestone.

“So many people have worked so hard to make this dream of ours a reality. Now we are ready to go from planning to playing.

“It’s been easy for people to cast doubt, because the event hasn't happened as yet. But we as South Africans and Africans are undoubtedly in the process of delivering”.

Preparations for 2010 face a major test this month with the launch of the eight-nation Confederations Cup, the traditional preamble to the World Cup. First match is June 15.

Blatter says that of all the countries in Africa, South Africa represents the continent very well, as a multicultural country boasting truly breathtaking locations.

“Through Fan Parks, entertainment programs and public viewings across the country, visitors should feel like they are visiting a month-long party with a uniquely African flavor,” Blatter tells ATR in a Q&A.

“I’m a proud and very happy FIFA President that the FIFA Confederations Cup and the FIFA World Cup will be held for the first time on African soil.”

Blatter talks about the imminent FIFA World Cup in South Africa, future tournaments and the bidding process for 2018/2022:

What’s your assessment of the FIFA experience in South Africa - is this how you expected things to develop ?

FIFA President Sepp Blatter says he is “proud and very happy” the 2010 World Cup will be in Africa. (ATR) Sepp Blatter: Please, let me start answering your question by the following comment, which I deem crucial: when FIFA decided that Africa should host the FIFA World Cup in 2010, it was justice made to a continent that has given so much to football and where so many football talents were born. I’m a proud and very happy FIFA President that the FIFA Confederations Cup and the FIFA World Cup will be held for the first time on African soil.

I have no doubt about the readiness of South Africa to host successfully these two major events. Preparations are well on track. Of course, together with our colleagues and friends of the South African Local Organizing Committee, we must not lose focus in the coming weeks and months, and continue to work hard to achieve successful events. But this is normal and has always been the case for previous tournaments of this scale.

Also, I would like to commend the South African authorities for their permanent support and commitment, as Mr Jacob Zuma confirmed it to me during a personal phone conversation soon after he was elected President of the Republic of South Africa.

What is needed in the final year of preparation for 2010?

SB: Following the draw itself in December 2009, 32 countries will then know who they will face if they wish to be crowned world champions, and also where they will play their opening matches.

Transportation, accommodation and security are all key challenges. With the huge global demand for tickets it is important that the necessary infrastructure is in place to meet the demands of the supporters and provide them with an unforgettable experience.

FIFA and the LOC are working with a large and diverse range of stakeholders in South Africa, including the Government, to achieve that objective. FIFA have also undertaken a six-wave public opinion survey in South Africa in order to track the changing attitudes and opinions among the host nation, as well as highlight the challenges the LOC and the South African authorities need to address in order to ensure the tournament is a resounding success.

What should spectators who have travelled to past World Cups expect from South Africa?

SB: When we started to develop football, more than 30 years ago, all around the world and specifically in Africa, we realized how much Africa has given to the world with their footballers, with their clubs, with their different national teams in the youth competitions, and also at the World Cup.

I remember for example in the 1990 World Cup, when Cameroon, the “Lions Indomables” of Cameroon, were up to create a surprise and almost reached the semi-finals. Of all the countries in Africa, South Africa represents the continent very well, because it is a multicultural country and it boasts some truly breathtaking locations.

Through Fan Parks, entertainment programs and public viewings across the country, visitors should feel like they are visiting a month-long party with a uniquely African flavor.

What is the outlook for Brazil and 2014? What is the major task ahead for this World Cup host?

SB: The announcement of the 12 host cities in Brazil has been made on 31 May by the FIFA Executive Committee meeting in Nassau. So the work starts in earnest for the LOC.

However, Brazil was confirmed as hosts in October 2007, so their preparations have already begun. A number of FIFA seminars and workshops with the host cities, for example, are planned. As five-times World champions and another passionate country when it comes to football, the atmosphere in the stadiums and host cities will undoubtedly carry a distinct South American flavor, and if Brazil were to win, I am sure the carnival would go on for a long, long time!

What effect do you believe the World Cup should have on the bid from Rio De Janeiro for the 2016 Olympics?

SB: That is not for me to say, rather for the IOC to make the decision. Of course I am a proud committee member of the IOC, and the respective candidate cities all have their own unique characteristics. As always, it will no doubt be a close race.

Is the women's game growing as you would like? Are there any issues with 2011 preparations?

SB: Women’s football and the number of participants around the world continues to grow at a dramatic rate. In some countries, cultural barriers have been overcome, whilst in others, the pace of change is slower, and here FIFA play a role through its development team, organizing seminars around the world which focus on refereeing, coaching and administration to assist the development of the women’s game at the grassroots.

In April a new European record crowd of 44,825 saw Germany play Brazil, which augurs very well for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011. Tickets go on sale in November this year, and with a number of former iconsSoccer City Stadium in Johannesburg will be the key venue for the 2010 World Cup. (Getty Images) of women’s football in the country involved on the Local Organizing Committee, including Steffi Jones and Doris Fitschen, I am sure the competition will represent another milestone in the evolution of the women’s game.

Also, the re-launch of a women’s professional soccer league in the USA this year certainly is another very positive sign for women’s football.

Did you expect so many candidates for 2018 and 2022? What is accomplished by awarding the hosting so far in advance ?

SB: We are very pleased about the fantastic level of interest in our flagship competition, which shows the importance of the FIFA World Cup as a truly universal event. The diversity and the quality of the contenders will make this a very interesting selection process. By awarding the hosting rights by December 2010, the respective countries will then have ample time to prepare all the infrastructure required to put on special and unique tournaments.

How can FIFA make the right choice with so many candidates?

SB: The decision to award the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups as always is taken by the FIFA Executive Committee. As well as emphasising that the infrastructure and facilities in the host country must be of the highest quality, the very highest standards of TV broadcasting, information and telecommunications technology, transport and accommodation are an absolute must.

But in addition to all these areas, FIFA believes that the World Cup is unrivalled in its power to awaken emotions, capture the imagination and unite people all over the world in celebration. Therefore, future hosts of the FIFA World Cup will be expected to ensure that as hosts, they also seek to achieve positive change, in keeping with FIFA´s philosophy: For the Game. For the World.

How are FIFA politics likely to affect the contest?

SB: FIFA underlined at the beginning of the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups that we anticipate the competition to be keenly contested, and experience tells us that there will be much media speculation ahead of the announcement date in December 2010.

FIFA is however eager to ensure that fair play prevails and for that reason, the FIFA Ethics Committee will be involved in the proceedings.

What are the major issues for the sport of football that you still want to addresss for your presidency?

SB: Naturally, football also is touched by all the “devils” that we have in our society; football is like a mirror of our society. And therefore, we have to fight. But one of the fights we still have, and I cannot understand it, is racism. And being now in South Africa and in the African continent, I think we can take it away.

But there are other big challenges, and we have to be aware of our social responsibility, as our claim states: For the Game. For the World. If we are so popular – with about 280 million people directly and one billion people indirectly involved in the Game - we must also be responsible for what happens in football.

The protection of minors, security in the stadiums, the fight against doping and illegal betting activities are also key areas that FIFA continue to see as priority issues.

Written by Ed Hula and Anthony Stavrinos.