Just before Italy walk out of the tunnel tomorrow evening to begin their defence of the World Cup trophy, the blimp will scan its lenses over the startling panorama which surrounds the Green Point Stadium. There’s Table Mountain, there’s Robben Island, there’s the Victoria and Albert Waterfront. What a picture, what a country, what a con.
By right, the eye in the sky should be sweeping across the Athlone township, across the squalor and the grime, before it reaches the Athlone Stadium. This is the venue where the original South African winning bid said the Cape Town matches should be held, this is the venue which the local government on many occasions insisted would be the city’s primary venue. But Fifa didn’t agree. “A billion television viewers don’t want to see shacks and poverty on this scale,” said one of the organisation’s reports.
So instead of spending the 200 million rand (£18m) to make the necessary upgrades to the ground nestled in the football-obsessed environs, Fifa insisted the South Africans spend 4.5bn rand on a new stadium nestled in all the scenery. The vista would, of course, make it more palatable to all those billions who didn’t have a clue there were social problems in South Africa and hence make it easier to sell advertising for the games at the Green Point, including a semi-final. And while they were at it, Fifa could lob another 20,000 or so seats on the plans to ensure they receive more revenue. Everyone’s a winner. Well, everyone at Fifa, that is. (James Corrigan, June 13, 2010)
My dear friend, Soo Ewe Jin, Deputy Executive Editor, has some interesting comments in his “Monday Starters” article in Starbiz, Monday 14th June 2010. (This weekly column is always well worth reading!)
Personally, I believe we should designate certain capital cities as permanent hosts of major events like the World Cup and the Olympics.
There is far too much politicking in choosing the host venue. Even small and developing countries want to play host as they see it as an opportunity to showcase themselves to the world.
They hardly think through the economic and social costs of hosting such an event.
Ewe Jin concludes this week’s article on a more personal and humorous note. He assures me that his talented wife, Angie, gave her permission for what goes on BEHIND THE SCENE in their family life during the World Cup season to be made public!
My wife will remind me to use the headphones if I intend to watch the late matches, and she will not appreciate me waking her up just to tell her Brazil had won.
After 24 years of marriage, I have come to terms with the fact that the only time my wife was remotely interested in football was during our courting days. And the Hand of God, to her, is definitely not Maradona.
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
