Brazil takes a lesson from South Africa

A top Brazilian delegation has visited South Africa to learn more about the preparatory work needed to host the World Cup, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee said on Tuesday.

A top Brazilian delegation has visited South Africa to learn more about the preparatory work needed to host the World Cup, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee said on Tuesday.

Spokesman Rich Mkhondo said the delegation, led by Mato Grosso state governor Blairo Borges Maggi, met the chief executive officer of the organizing committee, Danny Jordaan, on Monday.

He said the Brazilians were pleased with the organizing committee’s focus on tourism, infrastructure, the rebuilding of image of South Africa and Africa, job creation and stimulating growth in the small to medium business sector.

“We have officially started our meetings in preparation for 2014 and we are ready to learn from South Africa. What is really important is that we meet with the administration so that they will be able to assist us and tell us what works best,” Maggi said after the meeting.

Brazil will host the FIFA World Cup in 2014.

“The football legacy is to see improvement for football in this country — better stadiums, training grounds and broadcasting. That is really the hub of the economy of football,” Jordaan told the Brazilian delegation.

“Up to 85 percent of the football economy is in Europe, with the Highest concentration in England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France,” he said.

“If Brazil and South Africa can build a basis of world class infrastructure, including in broadcast and telecommunications, we can create, in my opinion, a central economy of football in the southern hemisphere.”

Brazil is only the fifth country to host the FIFA World Cup twice, after Mexico, Italy, France and Germany.

It will also be the first time in FIFA history that the tournament will be hosted consecutively in the southern hemisphere.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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