SOUTH AFRICA: FIFA's Sepp Blatter says the 2010 World cup soccer draw will be a real "kick off"

FIFA President Sepp Blatter says preliminary draw for the 2010 Soccer World Cup will be a real "kick off". FIFA President Sepp Blatter visited the site of the planned new stadium in Durban on Saturday (November 24) and said Sunday's preliminary draw for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will be a exceptional. Blatter and Organising Committee officials were cheered by construction workers while walking through the site of new stadium. Workers had recently downed tools, but the strike was averted this week after successful negotiations between union and construction leaders. Blatter urged workers to do their best and not to sabotage the event. But concerns about stop-start stadium construction will be put to one side on Sunday (November 25) when the qualifying draw for 2010 takes place in Durban. A glitzy 90-minute television show featuring soccer greets launches an event which will transfix viewers around the world. "Have a look at the ICC (International convention centre) look at the big room and feel the emotion of the people, they are behind this draw, and see that this will be a very exceptional draw. An African kick off of the World Cup, played in South Africa," Blatter said. New Durban 70,000-capacity stadium is due to be completed in July 2009 and on site workers are happy to be part of this progress. "It makes me happy to see the progress, everything is going well, we will be there in 2010, VIVA 2010," said construction worker Mhlonipheni Cele.

ITN Source | November 25, 2007

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