The president of football's world governing body Fifa, Sepp Blatter, will
pay his first visit to 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa this month since
work began to build and upgrade stadia.
Blatter, who expressed concern last year about the progress of construction
work, is expected to inspect some of the 10 grounds which are to host
matches, including Soccer City in Johannesburg and Green Point in Cape
Town.
"Mr Blatter will be in South Africa on the 18 and 19th of June on
a working visit," Tim Modise, spokesperson for the Local Organising
Committee (LOC), said.
"He will officially open the SAFA (South Africa Football Association)
and LOC offices in Johannesburg and hold meetings with the board and government
officials," Modise told AFP.
Blatter said last September he wanted to see "pickaxes and shovels"
swing into action but he appears to have been reassured by the start of
work at all the sites since then, saying last month that "everything
is going smoothly."
"I am confident, FIFA is confident and the only thing that will stop
us from holding the World Cup in South Africa would be a natural disaster,"
said the Swiss.
Modise denied that Blatter's visit was an indication of any problems.
"He is not coming because there is a problem as many may think,"
he said.
The tournament will be the first time that Africa has hosted the event,
which is expected to attract up to half a million foreign visitors.
,
June 08 2007
Russian ladies dream about happy marriage.
Click on a photo...
