SPORTS> Off the Pitch
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SPORTS> Off the Pitch
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S.Africa to launch 2010 World Cup emblem
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-06-02 09:34 Jordaan revealed that South Africa had so far managed to complete 70 percent of the contracts including broadcasting rights, sponsorships and other forms of involvement.
"That is because of the high level of confidence of the World Cup in South Africa," he said. He stressed that the most important issue at the moment is the construction of the hosting stadiums. In June 2009 South Africa will host the Confederation Cup ahead of the 2010 World Cup. "Everything is on track as we have more than the 10 stadiums at our disposal including five that will be built over the next couple of years in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Nelspruit and Polokwane," said Jordaan. As far as the operating budget for World Cup 2010 is concerned, Jordaan revealed that all the revenue has already been secured -- approximately 3.2 billion rand (about 485 million U.S. dollars) which is needed to deliver this event. "Our research has shown that the World Cup in South Africa will generate the highest revenue ever for FIFA in the history of the tournament," said Jordaan. "It is essential, therefore, that we emphasise that this is an African World Cup in the making but that it will be world class. It is already a commercial success in that it has outperformed any previous World Cup tournament over the past century," he said. South Africa will be the first African host of the World Cup and has pledged to make it an African event. "Africa has waited 100 years for this event. It is our responsibility to ensure that the continent does not have to wait another 100 years for a second bite of the cherry," said Jordaan, who leaves for Germany on Friday night
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