Redirecting World Cup Profits to Help Underprivileged Hosts

This column from the Huffington Post looks at the continued poverty issues facing South Africa, and offers some ideas about how FIFA can redirect some of its efforts -- and revenues -- to help counteract social ills during the next World Cup in similarly developing and poverty-stricken Brazil.

with international sporting events trending towards the developing world, both host countries and governing bodies need rethink the bidding system. Currently, it awards games to those building the most luxurious stadiums. Instead, investment needs to go to public transport systems that benefit local populations and infrastructure projects with long-term benefit.

The 2014 World Cup in cities across Brazil with the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro could start this trend. Like South Africa, Brazil is a large and growing economy. But its cities are also ringed by sprawling slums, high crime rates and poverty.

Willing the Rich to Share in the World Cup Profits
The Huffington Post
July 16, 2010

Rio Rebounds

Ahead of the World Cup and the Olympics, Rio de Janeiro is seeing increased attention from international investors, especially in the shipbuilding, oil and steel industries.

The governor, Sergio Cabral, forecasts the state of Rio will need as much as $US90 billion ($102 billion) in investment until 2013 for the expansion of the shipbuilding, iron, steel and nuclear power industries, led by projects from the billionaire Eike Batista.

Oil producers and mining companies helped double state exports in the first five months of the year, a growth rate three times faster than the nation as a whole.

''It's in the midst of a major transformation,'' said Mr Palmer, Gartmore's head of global developing markets. ''Rio has come back into the fold because of the Olympics and the development of the oil and gas industry.''

Investors go to Rio as opportunities flourish
Sydney Morning Herald
July 17, 2010

The World Cup's Carbon Footprint

A new study from Ernst and Young documents the carbon emissions related to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The study shows that the event created a footprint of about 2,753,250 tons of CO2.

The impact was roughly eight times greater than that of the previous World Cup in Germany, due to the great distance teams and fans had to travel to reach venues at the tip of the African continent. International travel was responsible for 67.4% of the total emissions.

Intercity travel between game venues was the second largest contributor at 17.6%, while energy use for accomodations came in third at 12.4%.

Environmental Impact of World Cup Needs Improvement
Sustainable Business
July 15, 2010

Rio's Stadium Faces Years-Long Closure for Renovation

Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium will close for nearly 2 and a half years for renovations ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. Its capacity will be slashed from about 175,000 to about 86,000. [Note: an earlier version of this post indicated that the seating would be reduced to 56,000, which, from what I can tell, is incorrect. Documents from Brazil's 2007 inspection report indicate the stadium will hold roughly 86,000. -NB 7/19/10]

To prepare for Maracana's starring role when Brazil plays host to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, the International Olympic Committee and FIFA want a stadium with fewer seats and more exits. The new Maracana also will be the venue for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies at the Olympics.

The stadium will be closed for about 2 ½ years, but the renovation must be finished before Brazil plays host to the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013.

Brazilian icon faces makeover
The Miami Herald
July 15, 2010

2012 Olympic Legacy Not Apparent Until 2020

Olympics officials in London say it will take until 2020 to really see the impact of the 2012 Olympics on the city.

The OPLC are now in charge of the legacy projects and making the site economically viable after the 2012 Games but Sir Peter predicted that it will take nearly a decade to be able to assess whether the organisation been successful in achieving their remit, he told the London Assembly at City Hall here today.

Legacy benefits of London Olympics will not be known until 2020
Inside the Games
July 14, 2010

Obama Stumps for a U.S. World Cup

U.S. President Barack Obama is pushing for his country to play host to an upcoming World Cup. The U.S. is bidding for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

While baseball and American football take a front seat, the president said, soccer is a "late entry" to U.S. sports fandom and would only be boosted by a World Cup here.

Obama: U.S. 'very serious' about hosting future World Cup
The Hill
July 14, 2010

World Cup Pressure Moves to Brazil

As the next host of the World Cup in 2014, Brazil is already under pressure to present the tournament.

The challenges faced by Brazil are similar to the ones South Africa had to overcome before this year's World Cup — high crime rates, a huge disparity between rich and poor, long distances between cities, and a need for extensive new infrastructure.

FIFA criticized South African organizers for the country's lack of preparation ahead of the 2010 World Cup, but the nation came through and was ready in time. FIFA president Sepp Blatter eventually awarded South Africa a score of nine (out of 10) for its hosting of Africa's first World Cup.

Now it's Brazil's turn to get ready for the WCup
Associated Press
July 14, 2010

Justifying the Costs of Stadium Construction

This blog post from The Christian Science Monitor looks at stadium construction across the world and how officials are justifying their major capital costs.

In South Africa, the circus has left town. Actually, it’s been nearly three weeks since a game was played in Nelspruit or Polokwane, nothern cities where there is “no rugby or soccer team within hundreds of km.” The next game may be a long way off. That there may not earn enough future revenue to pay for maintenance doesn’t seem to worry those in the spotlight. Says archbishop Tutu: “With all the negative things that are taking place in Africa, this is a superb moment for us. If we are going to have white elephants, so be it.”

Update: global stadium construction
The Christian Science Monitor
July 13, 2010

Brazil Eyes High Speed Rail Line

The Brazilian government is planning to build a high speed rail line to connect Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, its two largest cities. Construction of the line is not likely to be complete by 2014 when the country hosts the World Cup, but will probably be operational in time for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The government will auction the concession for building the line this December.

The tender offer projects a total cost if 34.6 billion Brazilian reals ($19.5 billion) for the bullet train. Of this, BRL20 billion in financing will come from Brazil's National Development Bank, or BNDES, and BRL4 billion from import-export banks in supplier countries, leaving a little more than BRL10 billion for financing by private sources.

The auction will take place at Brazil's BM&FBovespa stock exchange in Sao Paulo on Dec. 16 and will be open to both domestic and foreign investors.

Brazil Sets Dec. 16 For Auction Of Bullet Train Concession
Automated Trader
July 13, 2010

Troubled Future for South Africa's World Cup Stadia

With few takers seeking to occupy the new stadia built for the World Cup, concerns hang heavy over South Africa's World Cup host cities and the investments they made in sports infrastructure.

There’s virtually no way that South Africa’s football, rugby, and cricket teams will have use for ten stadia, all of which hold at least 45,000 people (Soccer City stadium, pictured at left, holds 95,000). In the 2009-2010 season, South Africa’s Premiere Football League played 212 games — only four drew more than 40,000 fans, according to Sports Industry magazine. Five of these stadia are brand new, built just for the World Cup. Many of them have been built on land that could have been used for much-needed housing. The costs of maintaining these structures — from regular building maintenance to power to security — are big enough to raise the question of whether, and how, they will be kept up

Will the World Cup Stadia Become South Africa’s New Slums?
The Infrastructurist
July 13, 2010

What Future Beyond the Cup?

As the World Cup fades away in South Africa, locals are left wondering whether the investment was worthwhile, and how the government will shift its focus to the country's pressing social and economic problems.

[I]t remains to be seen if the enthusiasm and unity fostered by the World Cup can be sustained, or if a national torpor will overtake a fractious country in which much of the population lacks basic services. If the resolve that led to a successful tournament can be marshaled to provide needed services, it could be testament to the power of sport to improve lives. But South Africans are wary that once the enthusiasm of the tournament dissipates, this country of 48 million people will return to normal, which is to say 25 percent unemployment and wide disparities between the rich and the poor.

South Africa Wonders What Lies Beyond the Cup
The New York Times
July 12, 2010

LOC Says South Africa Can Handle Olympics

South Africa's 2010 Local Organizing Committee head says that the country's hosting of the World Cup proves that it is capable of hosting other major events, including the Olympics.

"This World Cup has helped change the image of South Africa, achieved an image makeover of the country, almost a rebranding of the country. And also a demonstration of the capacity of the country," said [Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the 2010 organising committee].

The infrastructure investment required to deliver Africa's first World Cup was the subject of intense argument, but organisers consistently claimed that changing perceptions of potential investors and tourists would be a key benefit.

Now for the Olympics, says man who brought World Cup to South Africa
Guardian
July 11, 2010

Brazil Invests in Transit Ahead of 2014 World Cup

As Brazil prepares to host the next World Cup in 2014, its government is planning to invest heavily in urban mobility systems in its 12 host cities.

Twelve Brazilian cities have been selected to host World Cup matches. These cities now face a daunting but exciting challenge: to seize this opportunity to boost urban transit systems in a meaningful and lasting way. World Cup transit investments — meant to help Brazilian cities manage the estimated 2.98 billion additional visitors that the Cup will generate — have the potential to improve quality of life, safety and accessibility in Brazilian cities long after the Cup is over.

The federal government has set aside R$7.68 billion (US$4.34 billion) for “urban mobility” infrastructure improvements in host cities; state and local governments have committed an additional R$3.8 billion (about US$2.15 billion), bringing the total to R$11.48 billion (US$6.48 billion). Private investments will increase this figure. Ideally, transit projects should be nearly complete by the Confederations Cup, which will Brazil will host in 2013 as a prelude to the World Cup.

Spotlight on the World Cup: Brazil Gears Up for Games with Urban Transit Investments
The City Fix
July 9, 2010

Using The World Cup as a Springboard

Officials in South Africa are saying that the country needs to use its success hosting the World Cup to continue to make progress as a nation.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup has formed a basis on which real opportunities can be built and the potential it has provided must be expanded, the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) said on Monday.

"This event has provided a positive impetus to economic trends which may not have otherwise have existed," Sacci said in a statement.

World Cup 'a basis to make progress'
Fin 24
July 12, 2010

South Africans: Was World Cup Worth it?

With the 2010 World Cup now over, locals are asking the inevitable question: was the World Cup worth the effort and investment?

The government certainly seems to believe so, which a cynic might point out is hardly surprising given that many of the governing elite and their friends and families treated the World Cup as an opportunity to party for a month at the taxpayer's expense. But this is not a time for cynicism, especially since there are clear indications that the goodwill South Africans of all colours and classes exhibited towards each other during the honeymoon period after 1994 has made a welcome comeback as a direct result of the World Cup.

South Africa: Was the World Cup Worthwhile?
Business Day
July 12, 2010

South Africans: Now What?

Now that the 2010 World Cup has ended, locals in South Africa are left wondering what will come after the event that has dominated the nation's attention for years.

Sport's biggest showpiece was six years in the planning and came to define the national agenda, shaping budget priorities, infrastructure development and daily conversations from townships to vineyards.

Over the past month it has put South Africa at the centre of the sporting world, silencing the critics with its smooth operation and vuvuzela-blowing joie de vivre. It has helped challenge the way Africa is perceived around the world.

But when the final whistle blows at tonight's final between Holland and Spain at Soccer City, and the global gaze shifts elsewhere, it will leave a World Cup-shaped hole in many South Africans' lives. Tomorrow morning they will wake up with one almighty hangover.

South Africans ponder life after the World Cup
Guardian
July 11, 2010

Johannesburg Crime Down During World Cup

Crime is markedly down in Johannesburg during the World Cup, which has some locals calling for the city to sustain its increased police presence after the World Cup ends.

Facing unprecedented global attention, South Africa dedicated more than 40,000 police officers to World Cup security. But many have been paid overtime, which will be unsustainable in the long term.

[Clive Humphrey, managing director of ADT in South Africa's northern region], called on the government to consolidate the gains. "We're just desperately hopeful the levels of policing to sustain the visibility can be maintained. If they don't, we all fear crime will return to the levels we saw before the World Cup."

World Cup kicks violent South African crime into touch
The Guardian
July 9, 2010

Blatter Backs SA Bid for 2020 Olympics

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has annonced that he will fully back South Africa if any of its cities choose to bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

South Africa's successful hosting of the World Cup has increased its prospects of hosting the event when bidding opens for the 2020 Games. President Jacob Zuma told reporters last week that South Africa was up to the task.

The International Olympic Committee awarded the 2016 Games to Brazil, making it the first time a South American country will host the games. This will leave Africa as the only continent yet to stage the Olympics.

South Africa: Olympics Hopes Get Blatter's Backing
Bua News
July 9, 2010

Cape Town Fan Walk Likely Here to Stay

Officials in Cape Town are planning to keep the Fan Walk pedestrianized link between the Green Point Stadium and the central business district as an ongoing public amenity. The Fan Walk will be closed to traffic during large events at the stadium.

Beach Road in Sea Point could also be "vehicle-free" on weekends if a plan by local ward councillor JP Smith gets the go-ahead from residents and the council.

Smith said the fan walk would most probably be a permanent feature in the future.

"I've had a number of conversations with residents, but people are divided. But in future, when we do have large events, we should have it."

Fan walk here to stay
Cape Times
July 9, 2010

Delays Threaten Sao Paulo's Hosting Duties for 2014

Sao Paulo's hosting of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil are still up in the air, as progress on the city's stadium have been mired in delays. FIFA officials and Local Organizing Committee head Ricardo Texeira are warning that the city needs to speed up its preparations.

Sao Paulo's plans were thrown into confusion last month when the committee and world governing body FIFA dropped the proposed venue, the Morumbi stadium, because the city had failed to provide financial guarantees for the renovation of the arena.

"If Sao Paulo wants to host the opening game or the competition as a whole, the deadline is getting close," Teixeira told reporters.

Time running out for Sao Paulo 2014 hopes
Reuters
July 8, 2010