2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
(Less than) One Year Out and Counting…

With the buzz of the vuvuzelas now a fond memory, following my recent on-site experience in South Africa for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009™, I wanted to share some thoughts and observations from on the ground, as we get ever closer to the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup ™ next year.

The Confederations Cup, featuring eight teams, including the host nation, the current FIFA World Cup Champions and the six champions of the global FIFA confederations, is played over 16 matches, and is now widely viewed as the test event for the 32-team, 64-match FIFA World Cup. It provides FIFA, the LOC, FIFA Partners and sponsors with an opportunity to run the rule over all aspects of the various elements and services that will be needed to ensure the success of the quadrennial event to crown the champions of the football world.

One of the main topics of concern for visitors to South Africa is personal safety in a country with a widely reported high crime rate. I am pleased to report that the steps that the South African government and police are taking demonstrate that those concerns are, for the most part, unjustified. As part of the hospitality programs that SportsMark managed for the Confederations Cup, we hosted guests from around the globe, including Brazil, Turkey, Peru, Egypt, South Africa, the USA and UK, all of whom had a safe and more than satisfactory experience. As with any visit to a foreign country, some common sense and awareness of surroundings are the best personal protection when travelling to a major sporting event.

During the tournament, our global guests attended one of the marquee matches in the group stages, Italy versus Brazil, as well as the Semi-Final match between the host nation and Brazil, and the Final match between Brazil and the USA. Some of our event team also attended the opening match and several of the group matches with local clients. In all cases, the atmosphere, quality of football and incredible goals scored were as enjoyable as any I have witnessed in over four decades of playing and watching the “beautiful game”. The passion for the game in South Africa and the energy of the local fans is something to behold and adds much to the atmosphere at any match.

We are apt to agree with FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, that the host nation achieved a score of 7.5 out of 10 for the organization and delivery of the 2009 Confederations Cup. In our opinion, this was due mainly to the shortcomings of the public transportation system, the quality and standard of the refurbishments carried out in two of the four stadia that hosted the event and a lack of signage in and around the stadiums to assist with parking. We also agree that there is sufficient time before the start of the FIFA World Cup to address and resolve these issues, and we are absolutely convinced that they will be solved. It is clear that there is a strong desire by FIFA and the LOC to ensure that visitors to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup are provided with an unparalleled football experience, as well as great memories of a wonderful and diverse country.

For those of you who are interested in attending next year’s FIFA World Cup, either as a small group or as part of a corporate trip or incentive, SportsMark is in the unique position of enabling this initiative for you. SportsMark is the exclusive agent of MATCH Hospitality for the sale of the Official Hospitality Programme of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. This relationship with MATCH (FIFA’s hospitality and ticketing arm) gives SportsMark the ability to sell Category 1 tickets and hospitality packages to North American companies for all FIFA World Cup matches. These hospitality packages are the only ones sanctioned by FIFA and MATCH and are guaranteed. If you are interested, please visit our website or send us an email at soccerhospitality@sportsmark.com.

We are now looking forward to a return trip to South Africa in October for a tour of the new and refurbished stadium venues, the Final Draw on December 4th, and, of course, to the 31 days in 2010 between June 11th and July 11th, where we will witness the FIFA World Cup Winners awarded the 14.2 inch, 13.6lb, 18-carat gold trophy for the 19th time.

George