Security key to 2010 World Cup in SA
Security - that's the single most important word from the head of the City of Cape Town's World Cup organising committee, Teral Cullen, as South Africa begins the countdown to the 2010 World Cup.
Speaking to the Cape Argus from Germany this morning after attending the World Cup final in Berlin, Cullen said security and infrastructure were the key to staging a successful
tournament.
The capacity of the SAPS would have to be drastically improved if it was to lead planning and operation of security for the event successfully, she said.
Meanwhile, President Thabo Mbeki boldly declared yesterday that South Africa would "succeed in organising a World Cup to Fifa's satisfaction and for millions of fans across the globe".
As the final whistle brought down the curtain in Berlin on a superbly organised event, the eyes of the world turned to South Africa.
Speaking from her hotel in Berlin, Cullen said the Germans had excellent transport and security measures in place to cope with hundreds of thousands of fans arriving in the country for the World Cup .
Large-scale security measures included high-profile visible policing, with officers in vehicles and on foot wherever spectators were present.
"Security is a huge responsibility and cost and the SAPS would have to lead the planning and execution of such levels of security," Cullen said.
Despite strategic road closures and high security, World Cup cities had continued to function normally and daily business had not been interrupted, Cullen said.
"People worked together to achieve success and there has consistently been a great relationship between football and government in the country.
"As far as transport was concerned, it was easy to move around, with both inner-city transport and inter-city services.
"In the cities, people walked a lot and it should be no different in Cape Town, as our city is small and has its own special structure, when you consider the city bowl effect.
"We will therefore have to provide sufficient security for people to be able to do so.
"Of course, there were hold-ups in Germany too. It took us 45 minutes to get from the stadium to a function hosted by the SA Department of Arts and Culture last night at the end of the game.
"We need to plan how people will move about town."
Cullen said as a long-haul destination, South Africa would not expect to get the same volume of spectators as Germany.
"Many people came (to Germany) for a single overnight stay. We will have people staying for longer. According to our bid book, we should expect that between 25 percent and 30 percent of the spectators will be foreign."
Cullen said the city's planned new stadium and the related transport plan had to be completed in parallel and that transport was part of the overall environmental impact assessment.
Mbeki told journalists in Berlin yesterday: "We have absolutely no doubt we will stage a very successful World Cup in 2010. We will succeed in organising a World Cup to Fifa's satisfaction and for millions of fans across the globe.
"It is important for the whole continent of Africa and we are very conscious that we dare not and cannot fail," he said.
"Some people might have already aired their scepticism, but they will see in four years' time that Africans can do this. They will see that Africa can discharge its responsibilities the same as every other continent.
Mbeki was in Berlin both to watch the World Cup final and to witness the signing of a deal between Fifa and the European Commission to use the 2010 World Cup as a vehicle to promote African development.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter said he expected a "wonderful World Cup" in 2010.
"Not only does Fifa trust the African organisers - more than that, the market trusts Africa," said Blatter, who suggested the next edition of soccer's biggest tournament would generate more money than any before it.
"Of course, the 2010 World Cup will not be the same as this one, but the World Cup in South Korea and Japan had its own character too," he said.
"It will be a World Cup played to the sound of African drums and all of Africa will be supporting it."
Posted by: www.SouthAfrica-CarHire.com
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