S. Africa to mark 1000-day countdown to 2010 World Cup
South Africa, host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, will on Saturday
mark the 1000-day countdown to the world's biggest soccer extravaganza
for the first time on the African soil.
Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and six other host cities will stage
special ceremonies and cultural performances on Saturday to form a nationwide
celebration, the 2010 World Cup Organizing Committee has announced.
Activities in the capital city of Pretoria will be the main venue that
will be broadcast live through the country's public broadcaster SABC.
South African President Thabo Mbeki is expected to speak at the event
alongside several cabinet ministers, the government's news service BuaNews
reported on Friday.
"The 1000 Day Countdown marks the beginning of the operational phase
of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We are running within time and within budget
and we are confident that the tournament will be a success," the
organizing committee CEO Danny Jordan said through a press release.
"There is a shared vision and commitment by all South Africans that
this World Cup must work," he said.
The first whistle of the 2010 World Cup will be blown on June 11, 2010,
and the final game will take place on July 11.
South Africa has made about 2.5 billion U.S. dollars available for construction
of four new stadiums and refurbishment of five existing stadiums, plus
construction of related infrastructure such as airports, roads and railways,
since it won the right to host the world cup in 2004.
The organizing committee has repeatedly assured that all 2010 projects
were on the track according to plans.
"2010 FIFA World Cup presents a golden opportunity to showcase Africa
to the world. .. The South African Government will leave no stone unturned
to host a tournament that brings great satisfaction to billions across
the world," Mbeki said.
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