The Godfather of SA Soccer speaks out over 2010

The mounting doubts regarding South Africa's ability to stage a successful World Cup in 2010 were based on inherent world-wide suspicions regarding Africa's ability to "do things right."

This was the view expressed on Wednesday by Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman Irvin Khoza at a media briefing in Johannesburg, prior to a workshop with Fifa officials later in the week and the release of the escalating tournament budget in excess of R12 billion that is due to be announced by Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel in parliament next week.

"It is our paramount challenge to prove the sceptics and detractors wrong," added Khoza, who with LOC CEO Danny Jordaan proclaimed everything was on track for the world's greatest individual sports event.

Answering concerns expressed by Fifa president Sepp Blatter recently that while all the plans, organising and financing of the World Cup seemed to be in order, he was a little perturbed that "no picks and shovels were yet operating on the ground", Jordaan said the planning phase was an enormous project in itself.

"But everything is running as planned," said Khoza. "Work on the five new World Cup stadiums is scheduled to start at the beginning of next year and the time tables for completion are well within the time periods required by Fifa."

Regarding the festering issue of rampant crime affecting the World Cup, Jordaan said this was "not a soccer problem, but a problem for every South African.

"And," he added, "it is something that has to be tackled now, not in 2010. At the same time, South Africa has staged 11 major international events in the past decade or so and there have been no serious incidents."

Khoza revealed that the LOC had recommended the 2010 World Cup be staged during the June-July period, but a final decision on dates had still to be taken by Fifa -- and weather factors, particularly in regard to areas like Cape Town, could be a consideration.

Khoza, who is also chairman of South Africa's internal professional organisation, The Premier Soccer League, said the problem of ground availability for domestic and international competition in South Africa prior to the World Cup has been examined.

"Five of the World Cup stadiums are new constructions and will therefore not affect the present situation," he added, "and we believe we will be able to cope without the use of FNB Stadium, Ellis Park, Bloemfontein Stadium, Loftus and the Royal Bafokeng Palace for a limited period."