First African World Cup will be page in history of humanity
Committee chairman Dr Irvin Khoza was speaking in Johannesburg following the final board meeting before the start of the World Cup.
“What we have promised, we have delivered,” said Khoza.
“That we are on the verge of something truly unique and memorable is undoubted. And that this tournament has rallied and mobilised this country like never before is also without question. We achieved stadium completion in a time which surprised many who doubted our ability to do so.
“There were many who questioned the scale of our ambitions, but we have proved them wrong. We are waiting. We are ready. ’Ke Nako’ (’It’s time’).”
FIFA president Blatter, who was present at the organising committee meeting, described this year’s World Cup as “a big page in the history of humanity”.
Blatter said: “It’s just eight days to the kick-off of this exceptional event, FIFA’s World Cup organised on the African continent in South Africa by South Africans. FIFA has the naming rights to this tournament, but all the work has been done here.
“This first African FIFA World Cup will be a big page in the history of humanity, not only in the history of sport.”
Dr Danny Jordaan, the organising committee chief executive, confirmed practice matches had been played at all stadiums being used in the tournament.
He explained: “All the stadiums are in a state of complete readiness and most pleasing is the pristine condition of the playing surfaces.
“We always anticipated the day Nelson Mandela would walk out of prison. We always anticipated the day we would vote the first time. And now we anticipate the start of the FIFA World Cup in our country. When these things happen the joy is almost overwhelming.”
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