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South Africa dismisses 2010 World Cup concerns
South Africa on Wednesday dismissed concerns it had fallen behind in 2010
World Cup preparations, saying it had made headway in modernising stadiums
and making the streets safe for visitors.
"The preparation work has begun," Deputy Minister of Finance
Jabu Moleketi said at a news conference in the capital
Pretoria. "Our eyes are on the ball and we are going to deliver ...
we are confident we are on time."
Moleketi said the companies that would carry out the majority of the World
Cup-related work would be announced before the end of the year and that
major construction work on stadiums would begin throughout the country
next February.
He added that 8.4 billion rand ($1.20 billion) has been earmarked for
construction and renovation of stadiums and nearly 6.0 billion rand on
additional infrastructure projects for the tournament.
Moleketi's rosy forecast came as South Africa continues to reassure world
soccer's governing body FIFA that it is on schedule to harness the resources
and spirit needed to host the first World Cup held in Africa.
South African police added on Wednesday they planned to have 192,000 officers
on the nation's streets by 2009 and that 30,000 of those would be assigned
exclusively to protect athletes, soccer fans and other tourists during
the World Cup.
"The name of the game is blanket security," Andre Pruis, deputy
national commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), said
at the news conference in Pretoria.
VIOLENT CRIME
Jitters in the world soccer community about South Africa's successful
2010 bid have been fueled by the country's creaky infrastructure, including
its decrepit transportation system, as well as a high level of violent
crime.
Concerns intensified last month when local organizers of the tournament
failed to show up at a news conference to discuss their readiness, stoking
another round of rumours that FIFA might consider moving the tournament
to Australia.
Top FIFA officials have repeatedly denied that any plan exists to shift
the tournament away from South Africa, which has one of the world's highest
rates of murder and rape.
The challenge facing the country's police forces was highlighted earlier
this month by the rape of a French woman on the beachfront in Durban,
a popular resort city and one of the host venues for the finals.
The incident received local and international coverage, prompting renewed
doubts about South Africa's ability to ensure the safety of the tens of
thousands of World Cup visitors.
Last month the new U.S. ambassador to South Africa, Eric Bost said few
would want to come to the country for the finals if crime continued at
current levels.
By Paul SIMAO. football.guardian.co.uk,
December 13, 2006
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