SOUTH AFRICA: FIFA's Blatter sure of stadium construction for 2010 world cup football

FIFA president confident that all stadiums in South Africa will be ready in time for the 2010 World Cup. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Saturday (November 24), he is certain stadiums in South Africa will be ready in time for the 2010 World Cup. South Africa will take centre stage in the world's sporting firmament on Sunday (November 25) when Durban hosts the preliminary draw for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the first to be held on the continent. A glitzy 90-minute television show featuring soccer greets launches an event which will transfix viewers around the world. Millions globally will tune in as 169 countries weigh up the chances of joining the hosts as one of the 32 teams to contest the 2010 finals. "It is now the kick off, the kick off of FIFA's World Cup 2010 and tomorrow, through the different television channels, South Africa will be presented to the world," Blatter said at the news conference in Durban. FIFA's chief also thanked the workers for all the work they have done so far, brushing aside worries over recent strikes. Blatter main concern over construction was that not all five stadiums would be ready for the Confederations Cup a year before the tournament, but said enough replacement grounds were available. "There may be, to be transparent and honest, not everything ready what we wanted to have ready for 2009 Confederations Cup but there are enough stadium available for the 2009 Confederations Cup and for the World Cup 2010 everything will be ready," he said.

ITN Source | November 25, 2007

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