World Cup will 'help feed SA's children'
24/05/2007
A South Africa n MP has said that the preparations for the 2010 Fifa World Cup, which is taking place in the country, must be upped to make it the best football event the world has ever seen.
The Democratic Alliance's Donald Lee says that the amount of money which the massive project could bring into the country will be huge and could change the lives of many poor African people.
Speaking in the National Assembly during a debate on the sport and recreation budget, Mr Lee said that the event would create jobs which would "help to feed small children and the elderly in families that we in this House will never see".
He added that it was necessary to ensure that the 2010 World Cup "is about the vulnerable, the poverty stricken and the marginalised people of South Africa".
"Last year I told you that there were 1,460 days to go. Today I tell you there are 1,086 days left in which to make this even the biggest and the best Soccer World Cup that the world has ever seen," Mr Lee said.
Figures from the country's Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, have revealed that the 2010 FIFA World Cup is predicted to involve up to three and a half million people.
These will include both South Africans and foreigners who head to the event as spectators, officials, sponsors and players.
Concerns have been raised over the pressures which may be put on the county's transport system and hotels and hostels which will need to accommodate the influx of visitors.
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