CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP):FIFA president Sepp Blatter claims he danced for joy after arriving in South Africa to check on preparations for the 2010 World Cup.
Glossing over concerns about delays, rising costs, rampant crime and lack of transportation, Blatter yesterday visited Cape Town's new "jewel" of a stadium, which was long beset by political wrangling and industrial action, but which is now slightly ahead of schedule.
He was less flattering about the national football team, which failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, seems likely to miss out on the 2010 African Nations Cup and hasn't won any of its last five matches - including losing to lowly Guinea - since June.
Blatter said South Africa should have taken advantage of the four years since it was awarded the hosting rights in 2004 to build up a strong side.
"In 1996 they were African Champions ... and where are they now? It's incredible and I cannot understand that," he said. "Do something, move it."
Blatter said he would raise his concerns with the South African Football Association today, when he tours the venue for the opening and final match at Johannesburg's Soccer City and meets anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, whose lobbying helped bring the tournament to South Africa.
Blatter stressed his trip was a courtesy visit rather than an official inspection. He played down fears that the ongoing turmoil in South Africa's ruling party, pitting incumbent President Thabo Mbeki against his likely successor Jacob Zuma, could have repercussions for the World Cup if key ministers involved in the preparation are sacked.
Internal political problems
"We are absolutely not concerned about the internal political problems in South Africa," Blatter said. "We are going to organize and deliver this World Cup and it will be a great, great event."
For Blatter, the success of the 2010 tournament has become a personal crusade. He says he hopes that it will create an enduring legacy to benefit millions of people on the continent.
"When I left the plane and arrived on African soil, I started dancing," the 72-year-old Swiss told reporters at a news conference with Mbeki late Sunday.
He may need to muster his nimblest footwork to avoid the many obstacles.
Top of the list is public transport. Or rather the lack of it.
The government has set aside 13.6 billion rands (US$1.7 billion) to improve rail and road links in venue cities. Organizers hope the much-vaunted and hugely expensive Gautrain connecting Johannesburg's international airport with the city centre will be ready in time, but there is nothing similar planned for either Cape Town or Durban.
In an interview with a local radio programme, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke made soothing noises about the government's ability to rein in violent crime in a country where more than 50 people are killed each day, often for as little as a cellphone.
