As you all know South Africa is the host of the 2010 soccer World Cup. The matches will be played in 10 stadiums in 5 major cities namely Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein.
This is the first time ever the World Cup is hosted by an African nation.
The Free State Football stadium in Bloemfontein also known as Vodacom Park Stadium, has a capacity of 40,000 spectators where 1st round and 2nd round matches will be played here. It is originally a Rugby stadium, venue for weekend matches in the national rugby league.
Infact, rugby and not football, is the 'numero uno' or no.1 sport in South Africa - the "Springboks" is a two time winner of the Rugby World Cup, including the 2007 tournament where they defeated England 15-6 in the final.
By comparison, South Africa's football team, nicknamed "Bafana Bafana" is currently 80th in the FIFA ranking, as at November 2008 and has qualified for the World Cup 3 times - in 1998, 2002 (both times never goes beyond the 1st. round) and automatic qualification as host in 2010.
By Comparison, Malaysia is currently occupying the no 151 spot, worse than the likes of Swaziland, Vanuatu, Haiti and New Caledonia and will never qualify for the World Cup!!!
Viva Brazil Viva Liverpool!!!!
But the real question is - Is South Africa ready to host the World Cup in June 2010 (next year)???
Apart from the various venues, the nation must also tackle the issue of security and safety for thousands of football fans from around the world who will be in various cities in South Africa in June next year.
This is because, the crime rate in South Africa is among the highest in the world!!!!
I can't recall exactly whether I've been to one - but I remember distinctly being inside the 1936 Olympics stadium in Berlin 14 years before the last world cup. Yes, I could not resist pretending to be Hitler watching Jesse Owens down at the tracks...
ReplyDeleteaiyaaa.... you are part of hitler's propaganda!!!
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