I found this interesting article from the South African Times and wanted to pass it along. It's a reader letter describing the frustrating some people in South Africa feel during the run up to the 2010 World Cup next summer.Apparently, some residents are feeling excluded from the good will the organizers are trying to foster. Is the World Cup 'only for urban areas and foreign nations' as the article suggests? Or have the organizers done a good job in not only enlisting the help of locals, but also reaching out to them and making them feel a part of the process?
Here's the article. Please tell me what you think.
THE 2010 World Cup tournament that will be hosted in our country seems to be focused more on foreign visitors than on South Africans. — MK Marumo, by e-mail
The local organising committee and Fifa have excluded citizens of the host country simply by the way in which tickets for the tournament can be purchased.
Because South Africa is still developing economically and socially, we should understand that half of our citizens have never used the Internet. This technological, sophisticated approach has effectively closed the door to millions in the country.
Lack of promotion and advertising of the tournament across the nation — mostly in rural areas — has proved that the 2010 World Cup is only for urban areas and foreign nations.
Since the tournament is left with hundreds of days to take place, many can’t even say when the starting date of the event is — not only of the World Cup, but also of the Confederations Cup.
By now the feeling and the atmosphere of World Cup should be everywhere, but it is hard to even come across a billboard or posters promoting the event. The atmosphere is far from reaching many in the country.
The LOC has been encouraging citizens to buy tickets to support our team, but the process of acquiring a ticket has discouraged many supporters.
Irvin Khoza and Danny Jordaan will be running around telling the media that the country is ready to host 2010 and that the tickets are sold out — but the mood and the vibe will not approach real enthusiasm for the tournament.
The 2010 World Cup tournament is going to take place in South Africa and all its citizens — rural and urban — should be made to feel a part of it. So the LOC must wake up and promote 2010 all over the country, not only in metro cities.
source: http://roadto2010final.blogspot.com/
+ comments + 1 comments
That is very possible, areas like Bushbuckridge out there by Acornhoek all the way to Phalaborwa really starve. The closest big teams ever get is Polokwane, Giyani, Thohoyandou, Nkowankowa and Nelspruit. Some creative minds need to look at this areas and attract business and perhaps that will draw the big teams. Dynamos and Black Leapords are not that strong as they are on vodacom. Platinum Stars is much more like the great north teams, they are not glossy. It is around these areas that have produced guys like David "Going Up" Nyathi, the late "Slow Poison Manyathela and the list is endless. Yes big teams have often showed up to play emerging teams but something has always been missing. Perhaps the fans need to market these regions by cheering up better than Celtics fans, that could work. Bloemfontein did not just get the conferations cup for nothing. The Bloemfontein soccer fans have proved for years now that they can be counted on. I mean they are lively, this does not take away from some but credit is due to Bloemfontein. Hence not all retired players are going to be coaches, we need sports administrators too and if they were professionals that will be a great bonus. We need also city planners and developers and iif they have some sports background that would help. It is also time for the schools to market their games and seek some exposure. Its more like seeing diamonds in the rough. Perhaps Black Aces will really have to stretch themselves very hard and grab a major staek on these regions. Perhaps whoever wanted to buy Aces had done an excellent market research on this side of the world. Some times business need to take the lead and others like soccer may track behind. Given the warm claimate in these areas you could lure Disney and their waterfalls. You really want to build South AFrica largest shopping centre, that will attract business way past our neighbouring borders, a must go to area. I mean make it Africas Hollywood.
Enough said
Majeje Nkosi