 Sepp Blatter has backed South Africa's preparations for the 2010 World Cup |
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has given South Africa's preparations for the 2010 World Cup his backing and dismissed concerns over public transport problems.
"South Africa is progressing well. We are working hand in hand with the South African Football Association and the now-founded organising committee," he said.
"I'm sure that the South African World Cup in 2010 will be a milestone not only for this country, for Africa but the world."
Blatter was talking after announcing a sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola in Cape Town.
But local media have raised concerns over whether organisers can complete an ambitious upgrade of the country's weak transport system ahead of 2010 in time to cope with the hundreds of thousands of expected World Cup visitors.
Critics have raised the alarm over possible delays in US$3.02 billion high-speed train linking major cities Pretoria and Johannesburg.
The project forms a key part of ambitious plans to improve public transport, although it was not included in the winning bid proposal.
Blatter said Fifa was not concerned about South Africa's preparations and believed that the organising committee would solve any problems that may arise.
"The subject of transport is obviously linked with the choice of the venues, where the World Cup will be played and the number of stadia that will be used," he said.
"This is a crucial point. But before saying it will be a problem, let us identify the situation and if there is a problem, that problem will be resolved I'm sure."
South Africa has a limited train and bus service with most commuters relying on ageing and often dangerous mini-bus taxis.
The government plans a multi-billion rand project to upgrade the taxi service.
Blatter said Fifa would set up offices in South Africa in 2006 and once next year's World Cup in Germany was complete, work for 2010 would move "into full swing".
MMIX
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