ONE YEAR BEYOND 2010 SOCCER WORLD CUP

SMED11

It is exactly one year ago that South Africa was in the throngs of welcoming thousands of sporting fans as we hosted the first-ever Soccer World Cup on African soil.

Sadly, our national soccer team, on whose shoulders the dreams and aspirations of millions of South Africans rested, never made it beyond the group stages . As a sports crazy nation, South Africans however never lost their sporting spirit and proudly adopted other national teams. From the Fan Walks, Fan Parks, policing, transportation accommodation, tourist attractions, spirit of Ubuntu, to name but a few – we did a world class job in welcoming and hosting a successful Soccer World Cup.

One year down the line I cannot help but ask the question : Should we as a country not reflect and reconnect with one of South Africa’s finest sporting hours? 11 June 2010 – 11 July 2010 indeed had a significant number of sporting hours tucked between them. Where is the soccer investment scorecard to keep citizens informed of i.e government expenditure relating to infrastructure, sporting development etc?

Where is the media coverage relating to, i.e the impact and/or benefits
- within the tourism industry?
- on the economy
- on skills development

I'd like to see more media coverage, particular during this period, relating to:

- The development and nurturing of the next team to take the hopes and dreams
of South Africans onto the soccer pitches across Brazil?

- Soccer World Cup Legacy projects –focusing on those community soccer
champions giving of their time and working tirelessly to nurture, guide and
uplift youngsters in the community ?

The 2010 Soccer World Cup has come and gone. For the millions of South Africans fortunate to be part of, attend and experience the vibe and atmosphere of one of the greatest sporting events on African soil, the memories will linger and stay with us with many world cups to come.

I believe one year later is a good best time to go down soccer memory lane. At home, at work, at functions, wherever, whenever – now is the time to remember, reflect and reconnect with a Proudly South African sporting moment.