Inspectors happy with South Africa's World Cup progress
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FIFA and South African football authorities spent the weekend, along with a strong media contingent, touring some of the stadiums to be used for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and declared themselves satisfied.
After inspecting the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg, North West Province, and the Peter Mokaba stadium near Polokwane in Limpopo province, delegates said on Sunday they believed the venues were world-class and South Africa was ready to host the World Cup.
But there were still some concerns about the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg where the England side will be based for the June 11 to July 11 tournament.
However, according to the report from the Citizen newspaper in Johannesburg, South Africa's FIFA local organizing committee chief executive Danny Jordaan believed there was nothing to worry about.
The hotel was complete and all that had to be done was to finish the outside construction.
"If we thought that the Palace wouldn't be finished in time, we wouldn't have given England the go-ahead to make the venue their base.
"I hope everyone can now understand that we will host the World Cup and by the time the tournament starts everything will be in order and we will have a successful event," he said.
Royal Bafokeng family representative George Khunou said there was nothing to worry about because they were well on track to finish all the construction before the start of the World Cup.
"You can see on your way to the venue that construction is continuing on the roads. We are confident we will finish everything on time. People keep doubting our ability to host the World Cup but I can assure you that this will be the best tournament," said Khunou.
Jordaan said whenever there was a major tournament it was given that there would be construction all over the place.
"I can assure the world and South Africa that we will host one of the best World Cups. Judging by the world-class stadiums we have built, I have no doubt that even visiting teams will be impressed with our facilities," he said.
Ndavhe Ramakuela, director of the World Cupin Polokwane, told the media delegation on Sunday there is no doubt that the Peter Mokaba Stadium is a world-class venue.
"Everything is in place. We cannot wait for the tournament to start. The infrastructure is in place and our visitors will have the time of their lives," said Ramakuela.
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