SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - South African 2010 World Cup organisers say they will struggle to fill stadiums for 2009 Confederations Cup

Record ID: 452246

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - South African 2010 World Cup organisers say they will struggle to fill stadiums for 2009 Confederations Cup
  • Date: 22nd November 2008
  • Summary: SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) CEO OF SOUTH AFRICAN LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE DR DANNY JORDAAN SAYING : "There is a misperception in the world that this country is largely rugby and cricket country, given the prolonged period of isolation of football. And if we have empty stadiums it is going to reinforce the wrong perception, and so it is a huge challenge that we going to take up. We have already engaged some of the firms in this country and we are going to engage further and we want your support to truly make this a celebration of all the champions of all of the continents. And you know the teams that will be coming these are teams that have never been on the continent. Italy have never played anywhere on the continent, Spain has never played anywhere on the continent."
  • Embargoed: 7th December 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA9PW1YM7MW5YD8N9WQHK0X7TND
  • Story Text: World Cup 2010 organisers say they will mount a campaign to shift tickets to the Confederations Cup -- curtain-raiser to the World Cup finals.
    South African organisers said on Friday (November 21) that they face a major challenge to fill stadiums for next year's Confederations Cup tournament.
    Danny Jordaan, organising committee CEO for the 2010 World Cup which will be held in South Africa, said there would be a major drive to ensure matches for the eight team event in June would be well attended.
    "There is an erroneous perception around the world that South Africa is a country where cricket and rugby are the most popular sport. If we have empty stadiums for the Confederation Cup, we are going to reinforce this wrong perception," he told a news conference in Johannesburg ahead of Saturday's Confederation Cup draw.
    "We have a major challenge to fill the stadium for every match not only the games involving high profile teams."
    The eight-team tournament features the six continental champions plus World Cup winners Italy and hosts South Africa. It is a test event for the 2010 World Cup finals.
    Brazil, Italy and Spain are among the major attraction but Iraq, New Zealand and the USA are also participating in the tournament from June 14-28.
    Football is South Africa's most popular sport but despite large television audiences for domestic league matches, attendances at matches is notoriously low.
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