SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - FIFA president Sepp Blattervisit to South Africa with request for organisers to do more to promote World Cup

Record ID: 453943

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - FIFA president Sepp Blattervisit to South Africa with request for organisers to do more to promote World Cup
  • Date: 18th September 2008
  • Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA ( SEPTEMBER 17, 2008) (REUTERS) INTERIOR OF ELLIS PARK STADIUM FIFA PRESIDENT SEPP BLATTER ARRIVING SEPP BLATTER STANDING WITH FIFA DELEGATES AND THE GAUTENG PREMIER VARIOUS CONSTRUCTION WORKERS BLATTER WALKING TOWARDS THE SOCCER GROUND VARIOUS GUESTS AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, SEPP BLATTER SAYING: "We are going to deliver the best ever World Cup and in an ambience, the ambiente, the African ambiente. When you are drummers, drummers, dreamers and dancers and bring this continent not only to South Africa, but bring all the continent a little bit in shake. Not too much, not too much but a little bit, a little bit go in, go in and this is important." MORE OF GUESTS AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, SEPP BLATTER SAYING: "But I'm missing, I'm missing advertising, campaigns, publicity, public relation, banners when you arrive at the airport. FIFA's World Cup, FIFA's Confederations Cup. We are ready, come on, come and visit us. But not only here in this country but also in those countries at least where you know now their teams are already qualified for the World Cup or the regions. Do something." MORE SHOTS INSIDE ELLIS PARK STADIUM
  • Embargoed: 3rd October 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA37M2TXN5BAV3H5E1NENFGQ8W3
  • Story Text: Concluding a four day visit to the 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa, FIFA head Sepp Blatter said on Wednesday (September 17) that he had been pleased with progress towards the organising of the 2010 event but he said not enough was being done to promote the tournament.
    Visiting the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, Blatter called on the organisers to inject more life and more verve into the preparations for the World Cup finals.

    "We are going to deliver the best ever World Cup and in an ambience, the ambiente, the African ambiente. When you are drummers, drummers, dreamers and dancers and bring this continent not only to South Africa, but bring all the continent a little bit in shake. Not too much, not too much but a little bit, a little bit go in, go in and this is important," said Blatter with a little hip-swinging to emphasise his point.
    Blatter then criticised the Local Organising Committee's failure to publicise the tournament in South Africa and around the world.
    Qualifying matches for the tournament are currently being played but Blatter said not enough was being done to market the competition and advertise South Africa's involvement.

    "I'm missing advertising, campaigns, publicity, public relations, banners when you arrive at the airport. FIFA's World Cup, FIFA's Confederations Cup. We are ready, come on, come and visit us. But not only here in this country but also in those countries at least where you know now their teams are already qualified for the World Cup or the regions," said Blatter, adding the comment: "Do something."
    Addressing the media at the Ellis Park stadium, Blatter also expressed his concern about the limited hotels available in Johannesburg.
    Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, who was accompanied by the LOC Board chairman Irvin Khoza, CEO Danny Jordaan and government officials assured Blatter that the province will be ready to host the high expected number of soccer fans by 2010.
    During his four day visit, Blatter toured stadiums in Cape Town and Johannesburg and met senior political figures during his trip, including the former President Nelson Mandela who played an instrumental role in South Africa winning the bid to host the tournament in 2010.
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