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Let 2010 World Cup not pass us by
By Louis Jadwong
SOUTH Africa 2010 is Africa's World Cup, and even if Cranes fail to make
it to the finals, Uganda should position itself to reap from the soccer
extravaganza.
The 2010 World Cup is 619 days away and South Africa stepped up marketing
for the soccer extravaganza with the unveiling of the official mascot,
a leopard called Zakumi. The World Cup, it was predicted, would bring
a tourism, financial and football boom to not only the hosts, but to all
African countries that laid out a plan to reap from interest in the game.
Uganda is already benefiting from a 2010 World Cup related project-Win
Africa For Africa- that will have the country's club football administrative
structures improved and kit provided.
Now is the time to start lobbying to get a piece of the 2010 World Cup
cake. Uganda has a 40,000-seater stadium, conducive weather and tourist
sites that would be a good base for many football world powers.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has given South Africa a big boost by saying
the world soccer governing body is not considering a Plan B despite problems
in the run to 2-10. Blatter has got reassurance from South Africa's political
leaders, reminding us again of the connection between the highest offices
in the land to sports on the continent.
Blatter has brought Jacob Zuma, who is expected to become South Africa's
president in elections next year, behind the 2010 campaign.
FIFA knows the influence the highest office has in ensuring funding for
sport in Africa.
dispatch.co.za,
Sunday, 28th September
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