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FIFA
NEWS - Blatter presents Mandela & pays
courtesy visit to ANC President Jacob Zuma
&
Blatter presents Mandela with a special FIFA World Cup Trophy - Jacob Zuma reassured FIFA of his personal commitment, and that of the ANC and the government, to staging a successful FIFA World Cup
Saturday September 20, 2008
Tuesday, 16 September FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter paid tribute to “his friend Madiba“ during a private audience at the Nelson Mandela Foundation with a very special gift. To commemorate the historic moment on 15 May 2004 when the former President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nelson Mandela, emotionally raised the iconic trophy right after the 2010 FIFA World Cup was awarded to South Africa , Blatter handed over a specifically manufactured replica of the FIFA World Cup Trophy. “You are the true architect of this FIFA World Cup; your presence and commitment made it happen. Now the first African FIFA World Cup is a reality and the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 – the dress rehearsal – will take place in less than ten months’ time,” explained Blatter on handing over the trophy to Mandela. “I remember that moment back in Zurich . It’s an honour to welcome you here today. It was my desire to meet you and I am happy that we managed it. Thank you for this very special gift,” said Mr Mandela, who assigned the trophy a special place in his office. The FIFA President was accompanied by FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke and FIFA Ambassador Tokyo Sexwale, who is also a trustee of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The FIFA President spoke to Mr Mandela about his itinerary since arriving in South Africa on Sunday and told him how confident he was that the 2010 FIFA World Cup would be a magnificent event. In particular, the FIFA President talked about his visit that same morning to the iconic Soccer City stadium, where he was welcomed by enthusiastic construction workers who regaled him with a stirring rendition of ”Shosholoza“ – a popular local tune which has become South African workers’ theme song whenever the FIFA President visits FIFA World Cup stadium sites in the country. “This is the centre of all the activities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and I am so impressed by the magnitude of the construction of this stadium, which already has more than 20,000 seats in place. It’s great, it’s big, it’s huge. It is like a temple where people will assemble in 2010,” said Blatter. Mr Mandela was also keen to hear President Blatter’s assessment of the current performance of South Africa ’s football team, the Bafana Bafana, while the pair also fondly reminisced about the glorious South African team that won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. "Now the team must start concentrating on its preparations for next year’s FIFA Confederations Cup, when they will compete against top teams such as reigning world champions Italy , as well as Brazil , USA and European champions Spain . South Africa has the talent but it is now time to show it,” explained Blatter. Mr Mandela then told the guests about his football experiences as a schoolboy and stressed that football is a people’s sport. Summing up his short visit, the FIFA President said: “Meeting my dear friend Madiba has been the highlight of my stay here in South Africa . I feel at home in this beautiful and proud country. God bless you and I hope to see you at the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup at the Soccer City stadium on 11 June 2010.” Blatter pays courtesy visit to ANC President Jacob Zuma September 17, 2008 concluded his four-day stay in South Africa with a courtesy visit to Jacob Zuma, the President of South Africa’s governing political party, the African National Congress (ANC). The informal meeting was held at the organisation’s headquarters, Luthuli House. The talks were held in a frank and cordial atmosphere, and the focus was on the ongoing preparations for FIFA’s flagship competition, the 2010 FIFA World Cup. “Today I am a very happy President as during my four-day stay here in South Africa I was also pleased to hear during the various meetings that the 2010 FIFA World Cup is fully supported by all political and governmental authorities. I want also to thank Mr Zuma for taking the time for today’s briefing,“ said the FIFA President, who was accompanied by FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (SALOC) Irvin Khoza, SALOC CEO Danny Jordaan and SALOC board member and FIFA Goodwill Ambassador Tokyo Sexwale. Also present at the meeting were ANC Treasurer General Matthews Phosa and ANC Presidency officials Zizi Kodwa and Lakela Kaunda. Jacob Zuma reassured FIFA of his personal commitment, and that of the ANC and the government, to staging a successful FIFA World Cup: “I am happy to give FIFA the assurance of our full support for the FIFA World Cup with continuity ensured in all key areas. South Africa is renowned for having hosted world events with distinction and should continue with this trend by making the FIFA World Cup in 2010 the best the world has ever seen”. Another topic touched upon was the current status of the national team. “The greatest challenge will be for our soccer players to demonstrate to the country and the world that they can set a record equal to our Paralympians who have made us proud by winning several gold medals in Beijing,” said Mr Zuma. He also stressed that the ANC was pleased with the level of progress being made in the country in terms of developing infrastructure, in particular the construction of stadiums and the improvement of roads and other related facilities which would bring the country and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region much needed revenue. RELATED STORY FIFA
NEWS:
Blatter happy with the progress of 2010 FIFA World Cup preparations
- September, 2008 FIFA
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