World Cup to ´change world´s view of Africa´

Danny Jordaan, head of the South African 2010 World Cup organising committee, said on Friday he wanted to transform people’s world view of Africa through the staging of a successful tournament.

Visiting Paris, Jordaan said the event would be an opportunity “to change people’s perception of the African continent. We have to see Africa as a continent for investment in tourism and trade”.

He added that the tournament, the first Africa will have staged, was a chance to put the whole continent in general on the map and “celebrate the best” it had to offer.

Jordaan said the event went far beyond sport in providing a chance to boost infrastructure, tourism and employment as well as further foster democracy.

He added that the match venues would be ready by October.

French 1998 world champion Lilian Thuram, who also addressed the gathering at the Paris town hall, echoed Jordaan’s view that the hosting of the world’s top sporting event in Africa was about more than sport.

“(Hosting in) Africa is a return to the source, to the origin of man,” said Thuram.

“I hope that South Africa will be able to provide a new image of Africa and change the way people imagine it to be.

“It is Africa’s World Cup not just of South Africa. There is talk of security problems but I hope that all goes off well and that people will be able to change their view of Africa.

“My dream final would pit South Africa or another African country against France. And of course I hope France win.”