World Cup 2010

HISTORY BEING MADE

South Africa today makes history as it host the first ever FIFA World Cup finals to be played in the African Continent after 80 years of the tournament. IT is a dream come true for the 'Mandiba' Nelson Mandela and other Africans who had prayed and dreamt that one day, the World Cup would be played on African soil. Now it is no more a dream but a reality. I hope no crisis would force the organisers to take it away from Africa.
Football tournament is a tournament that unites everyone all over the World together. Whoever invented Football needs to be commended and thanked for his creativity and passion to introduce a game that all humanity are interested in.
Back to the tournament here in Africa, it is one tournament that Africans want to use to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the continent.
I remember when South Africa bidded like other countries in the world and the kind of doubt and worry that followed their bid. The worry was not misplaced because the country was just coming out of apartheid regime and the crime rate was still high. A Lot of people thought the new administration should concentrate on rebuilding the nation and reintegrating the people into the system of the World. I thought so too. We were wrong because they needed this kind of event in their national life to motivate and challenge them to accelerate infrastructural development and check crime that is getting out of control.
Apart from existing venues that were upgraded, five new stadiums were built to meet the requirements set by FIFA for the hosting of the World Cup. The deadline given for the completion of those projects were met. The junior World Cup played in Nigeria last year was almost shifted to another country because the deadline for the completion of projects was not met. Thank God South Africa met theirs. The public transport system was improved in all the locations to and fro. The underground rail system embarked upon would be completed before the commencement of the tournament. For security, special measures were implemented to ensure safety of life and property of players, officials and visitors to South Africa. The safety and security measures were according to FIFA's requirement. Infact FIFA officials assigned with organising the soccer fiesta rated South Africa's preparedness as very high. Quite impressive. It erases doubt from the thomases who thought Africa cannot do a thorough thing.
On Friday, 11th June 2010, South Africa rolled out drums and put on a show that was applauded all over the world. The country kicked off the tournament with pre-World Cup Concert that features Big names in Music and entertainment in the world. Shakira and the freshly ground sang the tournament song 'Waka Waka. Sadly Madiba's great-grand-daughter was killed in an accident on her way home after the concert. The game continued but we missed the presence of the Madiba at the opening.
The opening ceremony was a show stopper and I pray the performances of African teams on the field would not be dismal.
Well done South Africa. You proved the critics wrong.