Soccer Question Options

[Hoodstock]

Ed and Dangum,

I do not follow soccer at all but I've noticed that Ed has had a soccer player in his signature for a while and Dangum has had one forever as an icon.

I was seriously wondering who they were and why you chose them? I honestly have no clue about who they are.

This post has been edited by Hoodstock: May 19 2009, 7:27 am

[sh4rpz]

Hey, sharpz, got a question for ya; as you're an insider.

On dutch TV they are saying that it's totally ridiculous that these stadiums were built, cos they cost hundred of millions, and a few blocks away people live in poverty.

After the WC those stadiums become useless? They will play rugby in some of them? But I doubt if over 50,000 people will come to watch a rugby match.

So, you think it was a ridiculous thing to build that many stadiums and stuff rather than using this money to help the poor people?

Or did the WC create a lot of jobs for the people and did a lot of good?

Just got back from the Spain v Germany game - so I intend on answering this when I'm not so exhausted, but I'll give it a go in brief for now, as I'm sure more discussion on this will follow:

I think that firstly, you have to put SA into perspective: it is a developing region within a 3rd world continent, with 1st world entities, finances and facilities. Many of our cities are surrounded by rural 'townships' many of whom are in poverty and extremely hard-to-live circumstances etc - the government which is only in active democratic power since 1994 has tried their best to cater for and help develop these areas. But as in any development, it does take a lot of time. There is a problem, but even South Africans will concede, the problem will get worse before it gets better. Life is difficult and expensive no matter what walk of life you come from, and right now, our country is still in that phase of getting on our feet in terms of building a successful infrastructure.

As I understand it, not much of the funding for the new stadia and world cup development came from South African local government - a lot of it was subsidised by FIFA and their sponsors and affiliates - due to it being an international event centred around developing the game and enhancing FIFA's brand.

Yes, a lot of work and construction has been undertaken in SA over the last 6 or so years in prep for the event, but in the end, it has created as you rightly said, many jobs, improved the infrastructure within SA, improved skills, given a basis to work from for the future, and it has been an all-round positive thing for this country.

There will be many doom and gloomers out there who will see it differently, but in retrospect, it can only be a positive thing for the future of this country - I'm even hearing that they are now making a fresh bid for the Olympic Games and another Rugby World Cup, so it's definitely positive.

On the side of what will happen with the stadia: as it stands, each stadium site was originally the home of an existing stadium, which was used for major sporting events in SA - local professional league matches, rugby, international fixtures, concerts, track events etc - each event is always a sell out - that is one thing I can tell you.

In Durban, we have the Moses Mabida Stadium, which has the cable car ride 200m into the air above the stadium pitch, the bunjee off the top of it, stadium tours, a public gym, coffee bars/pubs/restuarants which over look the pitch, boardrooms and conference centres which can host events like weddings, stage acts etc. So, in fairness, they have already put plans in place to ensure the continuity and longivity of the stadium - and don't worry, it will sell out. Our rugby games here in Durban are a sell out every weekend - even the games in midweek are packed with plenty people left disappointed without a ticket.

Another positive side to come out of the World Cup has been the general performance of the Police and security in SA. Absolutely terrific! I was so surprised to see how many police have been assisting and willing and just trying their best to make the event really successful and it has definitely had a lasting impact - just their mere presence is felt all around the country. Big ups to them.

I hope they keep it up after the tournament.

Edit: Spain v Holland in the Final - I always support the Dutch at the major football events and I was gutted for them in 94, 98 and 2002 - so this was a welcome performance from them. Just glad I got to see them 3 times in the tournament and I hope they go all the way and win the thing now!

More from me after the tournament cos I need sleep. Badly.

This post has been edited by sh4rpz: Jul 7 2010, 7:02 pm