The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation has praised the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee (OC) South Africa for a successful FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, saying it was an indication that the 2010 FIFA World Cup would also be a success next year.


The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee was speaking after a briefing from OC CEO Dr Danny Jordaan on the lessons learnt from the Confederations Cup, as well as the ongoing progress in the organisation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Dr Jordaan told the portfolio committee that the FIFA Confederations Cup had served as a unifying force to SA and expressed delight at the multi-national crowds that filled the stadiums. He assured the committee that the challenges experienced, including the park and ride offerings, were being addressed with the relevant authorities.

He also highlighted the role played by the "friendly, helpful and well trained" Confederations Cup volunteers.

Chairman of the committee Butana Komphela said: "You did our nation proud. You proved that South Africa can do it. It was wonderful and it was exciting. We can't wait for 2010."

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee is made up members of South African political parties including the ANC IFP, ID, DA and Cope.

DA representative Donald Lee said the committee was proud of Jordaan and his colleagues at the OC.
Cope representative G McKenzie said following the success of the Confederations Cup they were confident the OC could deliver a successful World Cup.

"On behalf of my party I can safely say that 2010 Organising Committee has defied the doubters that SA was not ready to host both tournaments. "

IFP representative Bonginkosi Dlamini thanked all South Africans for "the way they supported the Confederations Cup and the way they behaved."

ID representative Joe Mcgulwa said: "Thank you to a true son of the soil who has made us proud."