Blatter visits South Africa

JOHANNESBURG – Fifa president Sepp Blatter arrived in South Africa on Monday for talks with organisers of the 2010 football World Cup and for his first on-site inspection of work to build and upgrade the stadiums.

“He arrived this morning and we are expecting him at SAFA (South African Football Association) House where he will hold a meeting with the 2010 board,” said Tim Modise, spokesman for the Local Organising Committee (LOC). “He will be in Cape Town tomorrow (Tuesday) to inspect some 2010 projects, including the Green Point Stadium, and also meet government officials, including President (Thabo) Mbeki.”This will be the Swiss’s first visit to the 2010 World Cup hosts since work began to build and upgrade stadiums.Blatter said last September he wanted to see “pickaxes and shovels” swing into action but he appears to have been reassured by the start of work at all the sites since then, saying last month that “everything is going smoothly” and only a “natural disaster” could stop South Africa from hosting the tournament.The tournament will be the first time that Africa has hosted the event, which is expected to attract up to half a million foreign visitors.Nampa-AFP”He will be in Cape Town tomorrow (Tuesday) to inspect some 2010 projects, including the Green Point Stadium, and also meet government officials, including President (Thabo) Mbeki.”This will be the Swiss’s first visit to the 2010 World Cup hosts since work began to build and upgrade stadiums.Blatter said last September he wanted to see “pickaxes and shovels” swing into action but he appears to have been reassured by the start of work at all the sites since then, saying last month that “everything is going smoothly” and only a “natural disaster” could stop South Africa from hosting the tournament.The tournament will be the first time that Africa has hosted the event, which is expected to attract up to half a million foreign visitors.Nampa-AFP