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June 11 marked one year to go until the illustrious Fifa 2010 World Cup kicks off in South Africa. Esteemed dignitaries and members of the media were invited to Green Point stadium to witness the construction's progress and hear from Event Organisers and the newly elected President Jacob Zuma, about the successful roll out of our 2010 World Cup ambitions.

Getting into the stadium resembled a quarantine zone while check, after scan, after sniffer dog, ensured that no uninvited trouble makers or their malicious intention were to dampen this milestone day in South Africa’s dream to host the 2010 World Cup. It painted a pleasant picture for the security prospects of this massive event.

In a private press conference led by Fifa General Secretary Jerome Valcke, Chief 2010 Organiser Dr Danny Jordaan , Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato and 2010 Chief Coordinator Mike Marsden,  Guests were brought up to speed with the progress so far, with particular attention on Cape Town and the development of Soccer and the economic ripple effect of this event. Members of the conference,  including the President Jacob Zuma, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille and esteemed guests from the World Economic Forum were enlightened to the opportunities facing South Africa during the event, and long after, as well as the challenges that still lay ahead.

Any talk about ‘plan B’ that has lined the media over the last two years of preparation was quickly squashed with confidence as many targets had been reached and prospects for completion draw ever nearer. Green Point Stadium is ‘73%’ ready and only a few additions away from its final glory. The most impressive addition being a massive glass roof to protect fans from any inclement weather than could be caused by the unpredictable Cape Town winter.

Highlighted facts and figures:

• Fan parks to be set up around the stadium for those not lucky enough to get a ticket, with a capacity for 100 000 people to view the games outside the stadium
• The South Africa Government has invested over $2 Billion in the event
• ‘Plan B’ is gone and FIFA have unofficially handed over the management reigns to South Africa in acknowledgement that we are ready and on track to successfully host the 2010 World Cup
• The next highlight for Cape Town is the World cup draw in December, where the 32 qualified teams will be drawn into their respective groups. A massive day for fans as they hope their teams are drawn favourably and not into a ‘pool of death’.
• A major focus is transport with the first phases of roll out on the R1.3 Billion scheme scheduled for March 2010
• Big emphasis on improving public transport and increasing security
• Trial disaster scenarios planned for the beginning of the 2010 calendar to simulate our management of some possible debacles
• Respective deadlines have all been achieved, across the board

Challenges that still lie ahead

• Reassuring perceptions about safety and security at the event
• Conveying our readiness to ease question marks with regard to our progress and ability to achieve our predetermined goals
• Manage weather precaution for the colder, damper winter month of the event
• How does the government fund its deficit from outlaying so much money on the implementation of such an event
• Optimise transport efficiency

The resounding undertone to all these fact and figures was the vision to make the ‘legacy’ of 2010 last well beyond the final whistle. All infrastructure and policy has been selected to aid future growth and development in the nation. Keeping with this attitude, we were informed of the opening of the new Fifa Soccer Centre in Khayelitsha that offers soccer as a healthy alternative to those living in the township. It became clear that the process of this World Cup is well under way and is not something that starts with the first whistle in on June 11 and ends with the final whistle a year later.

The briefing held a very positive flavour, and you could feel the excitement building as people began to feel how ‘real’ this long waiting dream was actually becoming. The prospects look amazing, and within a year, the greatest event to ever occur on South Africa’s Shores will surely be bounding to success.

Check out some more media footage!

• View more images (Greenpoint Stadium Presidential site)
• View video (Greenpoint Stadium Presidential site)

To 2010 and beyond