2010 World Cup: The Saga Begins
The World is about to embark on a journey. The journey is of FIFA World Cup 2010; a journey that will unite the world, dissolving lines of hatred. A journey that will bring tears to many but in essence they will be different, defined by sorrow and joy. A journey that will show the world’s best face each other for the final glory of victory in which the heroes will be born and shine.
The whole world is waiting as the clock ticks nearer and nearer. After four years of patiently waiting; the fans are craving for a lustrous event. Apart from the staggering amount of fans filing in South Africa this summer, about hundreds and millions will be joining them through media. What will be the first World Cup ever to be hosted on an African soil is bound to be a special touching and sensational opening ceremony.
Many celebrities and luminaries will be attending this year’s gathering, but none of them will have the connotation that is associated with the African leader Nelson Mandela. The President of FIFA Sepp Blatter requested the 91 year old that it would be a privilege if the world icon could launch the tournament. Of what seemed like a refusal due to ill health was in the end confirmed as Mandela’s arrival when he requested Blatter for four tickets. The man who fought injustice and became a beacon for human rights was instantly granted the tickets by an exuberant Blatter.
However their might be some din added to the opening ceremony now as there are conflicting stories circulating in the media of Mandela attending the ceremony due to a recent tragedy. His trip to the Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium might be cancelled as his great granddaughter’s death occurred in a World Cup concert taking place at Soweto.
The Nelson Mandela foundation has claimed that Mandela will not be attending the ceremony at Johannesburgh while on the contrary an official spokesman has stated that he will not disappoint his fans by not turning in.
The South African President Jacob Zuma earlier commented on the issue saying, “Nelson Mandela worked hard that we should win the right to host this tournament. We dedicate the World Cup to him”.
On the other hand Blatter stated while talking to the media, “We cross fingers that Nelson Mandela can realise this dream, and his dream would be to be at the opening of the World Cup. For the time being, he is doing well and we hope that he can do it”. He then added, “It will be his World Cup”.
The South African team has high hopes that Mandela will come to watch the match but the chances now look slim. Zuma told the South African team not to get disappointed but to instead use advantage of their under- dog position and rise up in the wake. He said, “the Cup has landed in Africa for the first time and it landed in South Africa … It should stay here”.
The opening match is between South Africa and Mexico. One being at the 83rd rank, while the latter at 17th.
There are still unconfirmed reports close to the event if dignitaries like UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, Mexican President Felipe Calderon, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and several African heads of state will be at the ceremony. But the reports do suggest that their attendance has a higher expectancy rate.
Security would be the main concern; a concern about which the South African officials have countless times started that it’s an issue that will be under control. Security analyst Mark Schroeder said that such an incident is unlikely. He explained, “It would make them vulnerable to a counterattack at home. It is clear that people are taking a look at South Africa and the World Cup as a target to attack”.
Reports do suggest that a safe and joyous ceremony will take place. Whatever the case maybe, football fanatics are sure to pour in as another historic saga begins.
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