De Klerk says 2010 World Cup will help mend rifts in
SA
Cape Town, South Africa - Former South African President F.W. De Klerk
has said the 2010 World Cup will send a message to the world that Africa
in general and South Africa in particular can compete with the best in
the world.
''In so doing it can boost the image and self-confidence of an entire
continent," De Klerk told PANA on his return from Zurich, Switzerland,
where he held talks with FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Secretary General
Jerome Valcke.
An upbeat De Klerk, one of the three Nobel Laureates who were present
in Zurich in May 2006 when FIFA awarded South Africa the hosting rights,
said the talks focused on the impact that the World Cup was likely to
have on promoting national unity.
The heavyweight delegation that attended the 2006 event also included
former President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
De Klerk's return trip came as South Africa prepares for its role as the
host of the biggest football event on the planet.
South Africa's last white President also downplayed the current concerns
over 2010 World Cup preparations.
"There are always anxieties regarding arrangements for global sporting
events like the World Cup. Just think of all the questions that were asked
regarding preparations for the Athens Olympics - which turned out to be
a great success.
''I have the fullest confidence that South Africa will be able to hold
a very successful World Cup and I do not hesitate to reassure our friends
overseas of this," De Klerk said.
He said the biggest challenge facing South Africa was implementing "the
very good plans that we have already formulated."
De Klerk expressed the belief the tournament had the potential to mend
some of the rifts which, he said, were clearly still evident in South
Africa "and will also introduce the world to the many attractions
of our wonderful country".
Cape Town
,
24/02/2008
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