Friday, June 11, 2010 is sure to be an unforgettable date in the minds of all Africans and soccer fans across the globe being the day when Africa gets to hold the prestigious FIFA World Cup. For the past 80 years, the FIFA World Cup host nations have alternated between Europe and the Americas How is the country to hold the Cup selected?The latest selection policy is that any country can bid for the world cup as long as their continental confederation hasn’t hosted it in the past two years which makes a Africa very eligible. South Africa nearly won the 2006 bidding against Germany with a final tally of 12 votes to 11. All countries that bid for the 2010 World Cup were African including South Africa, Morocco and Egypt. South Africa won by four points to Morocco resulting in this unforgettable event. The reasons mentioned are all technical, but you might ask if the country has the ability to host such a huge event? I would answer with a resounding “Yes”.Here’s why:
* They’ve got a great team- that simple fact makes them deserving to have the great privilege of hosting the cup.If you’d ask me, having a World Cup in a country whose team isn’t even above average would be a disgrace. Remember back in 1950,1978 and 1990 when Brazil, Argentina and Italy hosted the world cup? First class teams! It would make sense to have South Africa join the list.
* Awesome stadiums-South Africa constructed four brand new stadiums just for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. There’s a jungle-inspired stadium with zebra like stripes, another with mind-blowing lighting, one with a detractable glass roof and yet another that was constructed to look like the South African flag. What more could you ask for?
* Good weather- South Africa is well known for it’s good weather-aside from the wildlife. It will be winter time when the World Football Tournament will take place. Not to worry though, your favorite players won’t end up freezing to death since the winter temperature in South Africa is warmer than most countries summer temperature! The average temperature will be around 20 degrees Celsius at 12pm noon.Lower temperatures are known to be better for athlete’s bodies.Good weather equals higher tempo.
* It’s in Africa- what could be a better place for the world to unite than in the very place that civilization is said to have begun?And the place where soccer is in the heart of every African?Soccer in South Africa has in the past been a cause for unification and a force for apartheid resistance during President Mandela’s era. Having Soweto be the venue for the finals will add meaning and make the even even more memorable for the reason that Soweto has been the heart of South African soccer.
In my opinion, no controversy in the past four years can change the fact that South Africa is the best place for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and everyone should be proud that for the first time in history, Africa is holidng a sporting event this big.
Tags: entertainment, football, recreation and sports, soccer