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World Cup shows how far South Africa has come

Article Published: Friday 18 August 2006

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Johannesburg, South Africa - South Africa's hosting of the FIFA Soccer World Cup in 2010 is indicative of how far the country had come, since it became a democracy twelve years ago.

"The hosting of the world cup is more than a dream come true. It signals that we have truly taken our rightful place in the world of international sport," said Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad Tuesday, at the National Communication Partnership Conference.

"In the apartheid days, we may have dreamt of one day seeing the World Cup but never did we dare dream that we would host it. That was an idea that would have seemed unrealisable."

Minister Pahad noted that for many decades Africa had struggled to get the Soccer World Cup hosted on the continent.

And FIFA's decision that the 2010 World Cup be held on the continent had made the dreams of millions of Africans come true, he added.

The Minister recalled how South Africa was boycotted from participating in international sports, saying its importance could not be overstated.

"It is especially important as memories fade and revisionists' history is being written," he said, adding that sports sanctions against South Africa were a significant part of the struggle for freedom.

He also indicated that FIFA's support for the boycott was critical when it decided to expel South Africa in 1976.

It is against this background he emphasised that FIFA had made a "concrete" contribution in South Africa through unification of soccer and the people.

"In doing so, FIFA aligned itself fully with Africa's resolve to rid the continent and the world of apartheid," he said.

He indicated that the World Cup presented a unique opportunity for the country and the continent, that transcended anything that could have been hoped for in the past.

"The games of 2010 will be seen by literally billions of people across the world.

"And in ways that were never possible before, they will for the next four years, be looking at our country and our continent with an intensity that is unlikely to repeat itself for decades." - BuaNews




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