“The preliminary draw is the first major event as run-up to 2010, and a record 204 national teams out of 208 FIFA members have entered to participate in the qualifying groups that decide who plays who,” Jordan said.
In addition, Jordan said that while 26.4 billion viewers watched the 2006 World Cup in Germany, there will much more for the 2010 event in South Africa.
He also said that the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) – to be based in Johannesburg – will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with TV and radio full studios and different TV feeds for each match and permanent circuits between the IBC and the rest of the world.
Germany received R10 billion from the sale of TV rights, and South Africa will bag a whopping R14.7 billion from the sale of the same rights, journalists were told.
Jordan was briefing the media on the progress made so far by South Africa for the preparation of the 2010 World Cup. The event was also used to launch the ‘1000 Days to Africa's first World Cup', due to take place on Saturday, 15 September 2007.
The 1000 Day Countdown event is designed to galvanise South Africans behind the hosting of the tournament and also reflect on the progress made in the country since it was awarded the right to host the world's biggest soccer event.
A number of events are due to place to take place the same day, the Local Organising Committee said.
“We are giving you a report of what has happened since the 15 May 2004, and how we are shaping up the preparations.
“South Africa is a developing country and the challenge for us is to meet the FIFA requirements and put in place the right infrastructures. But we have to ask ourselves what will happen to them after the World Cup, which brings us to the burning issue of legacy,” Jordan emphasised.
Nevertheless, despite painting a bright picture of infrastructures in progress (stadia, roads, hotels, airports), he warned about he called ‘tough challenges lying ahead'.
“Negative media, crime, Afro-pessimism, poverty, Aids, discrimination, unemployment, racism and corruption are just some of the puzzles that we must address if we are to stage a successful World Cup,” he said.
“We must not disappoint FIFA, especially Sepp Blatter [FIFA president] who put his head on the bloc to see Africa in general and South Africa in particular stage this big event. That is why we must ensure that we organise the best World Cup ever.”
