The success of the Final Draw proves that South Africa could deliver on the promise of hosting a world-class event, said the CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Organising Committee South Africa, Dr Danny Jordaan.
The Final Draw, in which the eight groups for next year’s FIFA World Cup™ were decided, was made at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Friday 4 December 2009.
“We promised the country a spectacular and world-class event and we delivered on that promise. It was a great celebration of Africa which triggered a wave of passion and support on the streets of Cape Town, across South Africa and around the world,” said Jordaan.
Executive Mayor Dan Plato said he had received congratulatory messages from across the world. “The hosting of the series of events around the Final Draw and the event itself proves that Cape Town and South Africa are indeed ready to host 2010 World Cup.
“We had two events with 120 000 and 55 000 strong crowds respectively. There were no incidents and the atmosphere was fantastic. I would like to thank all Capetonians for being wonderful and supportive hosts. You put up with some disruption and inconvenience, but your support was crucial and greatly appreciated and made these events a resounding success.”
Premier of the Western Cape, Helen Zille, said on Saturday the proceedings were a “great success for Cape Town and South Africa”.
Cape Town also showed the world just why it plans to be the party capital of the FIFA World Cup™, with thousands of revellers descending on Long Street to watch the Final Draw on five giant screens.
Fans carrying flags and vuvuzelas gathered in Long Street from early Friday afternoon, where they were entertained by numerous live acts, including the Miss World contestants. FIFA President Sepp Blatter officially launched the FIFA Fan Fest project at 14:00.
With perfect warm summer weather, and Table Mountain towering in the background, the festival was Cape Town’s chance to showcase itself.
Up to 18 000 were expected at the Long Street Festival, but nearly double that number had descended on the cordoned-off area by the time the Final Draw was being made, and officials had to restrict access. Wale Street between Adderley and Loop streets was also closed off to deal with the overflow of fans. The surrounding streets soon filled with revellers, and the party continued long into the night, watched over by a large number of security officials.
The festival gave Capetonians a taste of what to expect at the official World Cup™ Fan Fest at the Grand Parade, where large numbers of people will congregate to watch the games live on big screens.
The City was also able to use the event to test its safety and security systems ahead of the World Cup™, and showcase to an international audience how Cape Town will cope with large numbers of spectators in the city centre, and ensure a safe street revellers’ experience.
Fans in Long Street were glued to the big screen to watch as numerous celebrities and dignitaries arrived on the red carpet outside the Cape Town International Convention Centre, and the excitement was palpable as Charlize Theron said: “Now is the time to draw the teams and find out who will be playing whom in 2010.”
There was excited speculation about the groups and which teams would be playing which opponents as the Final Draw was being made.
According to Jordaan, it is now important to “keep that passion and support for the World Cup alive, not just in terms of what happens on the field but also in terms of selling tickets”.
The next phase of ticket sales has opened on FIFA.com. To date 674 403 tickets have been sold, with 361 582 of those going to South Africans.
Martin Pollack
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