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Blatter expresses satisfaction with SA's preparations for 2010 world cup
Published in Saudi Press Agency on 17 - 09 - 2008


FIFA president Joseph Blatter got into the
swing of things Wednesday, clicking his heels in a little dance as he
expressed satisfaction with South Africa's preparations for the 2010
World Cup, reported dpa.
"I am a happy man," Blatter said after visiting Ellis Park stadium
in Johannesburg, one of two stadiums in the city being upgraded for
the tournament.
Expressing his pleasure at being in South Africa, the head of
football's world governing body said: "I prefer the rhythm of this
country.
"You know in Zurich (FIFA headquarters) we are in the German part
of Switzerland. This is boring, boring!"
Blatter was on the last day of a four-day trip to check on the
stadiums and meet South African officials and leaders.
He has met former president Nelson Mandela, who was instrumental
in getting the tournament to South Africa, and President Thabo Mbeki.
Later Wednesday he was scheduled to meet ruling African National
Congress leader Jacob Zuma. Zuma is expected to take over as
president from Mbeki at next year's general elections.
Blatter said he hoped for a smooth transition of power between the
arch-rivals, amid calls by Zuma supporters for Mbeki to step aside
before the polls, slated for April.
"We must ensure all guarantees taken at the time of the bid
programme in 2003...that these guarantees must be maintained," he
said.
Blatter also downplayed fears about South Africa's towering crime
levels - seen as a possible turnoff for some visitors. Some 50 people
are murdered each day in the country.
"It is possible to make a wonderful event security," he said.
Blatter also announced a gesture for the around 20,000 workers
engaged at the sites of 10 new or upgraded stadiums in nine host
cities. Each worker will receive two free tickets to a game in their
stadium.
On the dismal performance of home team Bafana Bafana, which
threatens to cast a pall over the tournament, the football boss said
it was "high noon" for the national side, but said he expected South
Africa would "have a strong team" by next year's Confederations Cup.


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