Africa Must Wait 20 Years for Olympics, Says IOC Official

An official with the International Olympic Committee says it's unlikely an African city will host the Olympics within the next 20 years. South African officials have announced their intentions to bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics following the successful hosting of the 2010 World Cup.

“There is a huge amount of work to be done besides political desire, hence the experts’ view that any realistic chance for (hosting the) Olympics in Africa is between 2030 and 2040,” said Nawal El Moutawakel, who chaired the IOC’s coordinating committee for the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics.

“I have read studies by some universities specialising in the Olympics who gave Africa between 2030 and 2040 to host the Games and that is a very realistic chance because Olympics is a different ball game,” she said.

Africa must wait 20 years for Olympics
Reuters via Zimbabwe Independent
July 29, 2010

World Cup a Chance For African Peace: Former UN Head

Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says the 2010 World Cup in South Africa has the potential to create peace and better global cooperation -- especially for the troubled nations of Africa.

I am convinced that this World Cup has similar potential to rebuild fractured relationships, both within and outside Africa. I am equally convinced that it will do much to puncture the prejudices that, for many, unfortunately continue to define the image of the continent. The cup is a tremendous opportunity for Africa to show how, out of the headlines, it has changed for the better. There are, of course, countries where problems, conflicts and abuses have worsened. But these are the minority. There are many more where democracy and human rights have taken root, governance has improved, civil society has blossomed and opportunities are being extended to ever larger segments of the population. Four years ago, the World Cup altered many people's perception of Germany. This time, people will be surprised by Africa's remarkable progress and good spirits – and hopefully, its football teams.

The World Cup is Africa's chance to show how it has changed
Guardian
April 26, 2010

Poor Roads and Aging Infrastructure Hurting Africa's Economy

The state of infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa is having a detrimental effect on the continent's economy, accprding to a new report.

The state of infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa - its electricity, water, roads, and information and communications technology (ICT) - also reduces business productivity by as much as 40 per cent.

Africa's Infrastructure: A Time for Transformation finds that Africa has the weakest infrastructure in the world but, ironically, Africans in some countries pay twice as much for basic services as people elsewhere.

The study, which was conducted in 24 African countries by a partnership of institutions - including the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, the New Partnership for Africa's Development, and the World Bank - is one of the most detailed one ever undertaken on the continent.

Africa: Report - Bad Roads Slow Continent's Growth to a Crawl
The East African
November 16, 2009

A Discussion About the Problems and Potentials for SA

This podcast features a discussion about the challenges facing South Africa as it prepares to host the World Cup (the relevant discussion begins around 17 minutes in). Crime and murder are highlighted as specific concerns facing the country, though there is some feeling that concerns are overblown. One panelist discounts concerns over low ticket sales for the Confederations Cup and what many are calling a lax marketing effort within the country. But on the positive side, the weather is going to be nice!

We will also talk about the positives that will undoubtedly make South Africa 2010 a huge spectacle and we even discuss the baboon breakout that threatens to cause carnage at the World Cup!

Among the topics discussed with Gary Andrews and Daryl Grove were:

* The international sides set to make an impression at the World Cup
* World Cup 2010 ticketing issues
* South Africa’s crime rate and how this may affect travelling supporters
* The positives of holding football’s premier competition in Africa

Source:
Soccerlens Podcast - South Africa 2010
SoccerLens
March 27, 2009

Success on the Field, But African Demand for the Game Has Some Worried

As African nations enter the climactic stage of World Cup qualifying, the sport is experiencing an unprecedented success on the continent. African players are increasingly among the world's top players, earning some of the highest salaries. Investment in the African Champions League is also at an all-time high. But while the sport is benefiting, ticket sales for the upcoming Confederations Cup are disproportionate. Worries persist among many that the local audience for the Confederations Cup and the subsequent World Cup will be small.

Yet football's world governing body is concerned that when the best teams in the world arrive for next year's finals, there might be few locals to watch them. Although global ticket demand for the World Cup is high, the local pick-up has been slow and FIFA is unhappy with South Africa's marketing for its forthcoming tournaments. "There isn't a single promotion of the events, even when you arrive at the airport," secretary general Jerome Valcke lamented earlier this month.

This might partly explain the poor ticket sales ahead of June's Confederations Cup, the eight-team tournament featuring the various continental champions not to mention the last World Cup winners too: Italy being joined by Brazil, Spain, Iraq, New Zealand, America, Egypt and the hosts. Yet with just three months to go, little more than a quarter of the tickets have been snapped up.

...

As the African Diaspora flourishes, the game is also advancing back home - at least monetarily. While the continent's domestic football will always be plagued by inadequate pitches, poor preparation, nutrition, salaries, administration and of course, corruption, sponsors are now pumping record amounts of money into the African Champions League.

Source:
African eyes all turn to World Cup
ESPN
March 26, 2009

Africa Misses Chance for 2022 World Cup

No African countries have bid to host the 2022 World Cup. Under rotation rules, this would have been the first World Cup the region could host after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"Egypt was one African country thought to be considering a tilt at 2022 after Fifa included it on a list of potential bidders to have expressed an initial interest in staging the tournament."

"However, the Egyptian Football Association subsequently denied it had any interest in making a bid."

"Nine countries are interested in staging the tournament in either 2018 or 2022, while two (Qatar and South Korea) are just bidding for 2022."

Source:
No African bid for 2022 World Cup
BBC
March 17, 2009