Cape Town - Minster of Sport and Recreation Makhenkesi Stofile says as the preparations for 2010 FIFA World Cup intensify government remains committed to deliver on FIFA's foremost requirements.
Tabling his department's Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday, Minister Stofile said his department will continue to work with other departments in ensuring that government meets all 17 FIFA requirements.
The 17 guarantees provided by various government departments cover access to South Africa, a supportive financial environment, intellectual property and marketing rights, safety and security, healthcare services, transport and telecommunications.
"As the preparations towards the world cup intensify, the department through the 2010 Government Coordinating Unit will continue to interact with all departments responsible for the implementation of the 17 Guarantees made to FIFA.
"Government will continue to support and monitor the programme so that the 2010 Organising Committee is able to discharge its responsibility to FIFA effectively and efficiently," the minister told the National Assembly.
Minister Stofile told the House that the first legacy of the world cup had already been delivered referring to the successful hosting of the FIFA Confederations Cup.
He added that after 2010, some host cities will use the stadia to generate income or even to bid for future events.
"With the support of National Treasury, we have agreed that municipalities could approach the Development Bank of South Africa for favourable loans.
"Some cities have already taken up this offer. The department will pay the interest on these loans for the first two years as we cannot cater for ever-increasing costs.
"We hope that with falling prices of cement and steel, the host cities will also be able to save some money as a result," he said.
The minister also called on the public to give support to the national team, Bafana Bafana, during the much anticipated world cup, which is set to kick-off on 11 June 2010 in South Africa.
"Let us continue to stand behind our boys in green and gold all the way. Their performance in the Confederations Cup has exceeded our expectations.
"As we intensify the support for our team, let's also be ready to welcome the more than 450 000 football fans we expect to be in our country during the time of the 2010 FIFA World Cup," he said.
