MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY ON THE 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL DRAW ON 04 DECEMBER 2009.

South Africa will host a 2010 FIFA World Cup Final Draw in Cape Town on 04 December 2009. This milestone will serve both as a celebration for the 32 teams that will participate in the FIFA 2010 World Cup and as an important test on the state of South Africa’s readiness to host a world-class tournament next year. The 90-minute event, which will be beamed live across the world to more than 200 million people in 200 countries will also serve as a defining moment for South Africa to display its capabilities in ensuring that the world experiences the most memorable football event ever to be held on the African continent.

South Africans are proud and humbled to welcome the FIFA family and the 32 teams that are scheduled to participate in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in June and July 2010. As an Embassy we are also proud to welcome Argentina to South Africa and we know that the Argentine team commands a huge following, which should therefore see many Argentine fans visiting South Africa to support their team next year. According to today’s Draw, Argentina has been seeded with other influential teams around the world such as Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and England, with South Africa joining these teams as a host nation.

In expressing his impressions about the Draw and South Africa’s readiness to host the World Cup next year, the South African Ambassador to Argentina, H.E. Mr Tony Leon said, the Draw is a litmus test for our preparedness to host the biggest-ever event in Africa and our nation must host the FIFA World Cup with flair and efficiency to ensure that we are recognised as a county of choice beyond the tournament.

NB: In order to ensure that all media have instant access to relevant images during the Final Draw period the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa has launched an online image library that could be accessed through the following web-link: http://images.2010oc.com and use following details: Username: Final_Draw; Password: finaldraw

KE NAKO: Celebrate Africa’s Humanity!

Issued by the South African Embassy in Buenos Aires
Date: 04 December 2009
Tel: 4317 2900
www.sudafrica.org.ar