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SPORTS | Feb 26, 2010

100 Days to World Cup, South Africa Worriedly Woos Fans

Johannesburg. Landmark new stadiums and gleaming modern airports are already redefining South Africa’s cities, but 100 days before the World Cup the question is: Who will be here to see it all?

Persistent crime fears and sky-high prices have put off some would-be visitors, and many overseas fans are still recovering from the pain of the global recession.

Jerome Valcke, secretary general of world football governing body FIFA, has said that 2.1 million of the 2.9 million tickets have been sold for the June 11 to July 11 tournament, but fewer foreign fans are now expected.

“We had expected 400,000 to 500,000, [but] it will be less. How much less? I have no idea.”

South Africa has poured $3.9 billion into preparations for the World Cup, and now organizers have launched a marketing blitz to urge South Africans to rally behind the tournament and national team. Billboards and TV ads proclaim the World Cup is “Ayoba!” — cool — while locals are being urged to learn the tournament’s official “Diski” dance.

President Jacob Zuma has urged locals to buy more tickets and support the games to honor former President Nelson Mandela, who lobbied to bring the World Cup here. They seem to have heeded the call, snapping up more than half the tickets sold so far.

Despite hosting a successful Confederations Cup in June and World Cup draw in December, security fears remain as South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world, with an average of 50 murders reported each day.

Those fears were fueled by the deadly attack on Togo’s football team in Angola during the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

“Don’t kill the World Cup before it starts, give South Africa a chance. It’s unfair and it’s really sad,” Valcke said at the time. South Africa has spent more than 2.4 billion rand ($308 million) on security.

Tourism officials still worry about skyrocketing prices for transportation and lodging. Antitrust authorities have announced a probe into possible price-fixing by domestic airlines.

Source: The Jakarta Globe

Indonesian Lifestyle 2008