Public Agenda (Accra)
Dr. Kwame Osei
10 July 2009
opinion
This is the first in a series of articles in the run up to the World Cup 2010 Draw to be held in Cape Town, South Afrika in December.
Having watched the just ended Confederations' Cup, I am totally convinced by South Afrika's readiness to stage the World Cup come June 2010.
Unlike many media practitioners in Europe, I am totally convinced that South Afrika will host a World Cup to remember.
By the way 2010 will be the first time that the World Cup has been staged on Afrikan soil.
South Afrika has the entire infrastructure that is needed to host such a tournament. For example there should be no problem with accommodation.
South Afrika has by far the finest hotels on the continent and for that matter hotels that can compete with those anywhere in the world.
Next South Afrika has the road network that is more than capable of holding its own to cope with the numerous visitors that will siege on it next year.
South Afrika's road network can rival anything in Europe.
Next and more importantly, South Afrika has the stadia built to international standards that will easily meet the demands of hosting such a tournament.
The stadia that will play host to 2010 are all ultra modern, that can compete with the very best in Europe and will be able to meet the heavy demands of such a tournament and importantly all the stadia have well manicured playing surfaces that the teams will be happy with.
Next South Afrika has an efficient and effective aviation network that will easily be able to handle the enormous traffic that will be expected.
The airports at Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Pretoria (Tshwane) are all first class, adequate and can easily accommodate the many passengers that will be expected.
Finally South Afrika is a beautifully diverse country with lots to see and do - from the cosmopolitan, multi-ethnic, charming and trendy Cape Town, through to the New York feel of downtown Johannesburg, through to the colonial style of Pretoria (Tshwane) through to its spectacular beaches, wildlife and stunning scenery, South Afrika will stage a truly memorable tournament and show to the world that an Afrikan country is more than capable of staging a tournament of this magnitude.
Apart from the huge spin offs that will be generated when South Afrika host the World Cup, other countries that border South Afrika will also benefit from the tournament.
For example Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Namibia will also benefit from the World Cup as many tourists will take the opportunity to visit these beautiful countries during their stay in South Afrika making 2010 a truly Afrikan affair - Its our time.
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