The ‘Come Back’

WOW! What an amazing, nerve wrecking, rollercoaster-induced ride the past few months has been. The 2010 FWC came to SA and went of without any major incidents. All the long hours and preparations … all to show the world we have what it takes.

Seeing that my last post was such a long time ago, I was pondering what to write as a “come-back” story. In the mental state I am currently it might take another year – so that idea has been pushed under the carpet …and the TV cabinet were moved very gracefully on top of the carpet.

Alas I have gone through some mind-altering experiences, met some amazing and inspiring people, and will probably never be the same. So the only thing to do is to get back in the saddle and use what we have learned to improve day-on-day.

So sit back, fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride…

Brilliant: Super 14 Rugby

Final Draw for 2010 FIFA World Cup™

The focus of the football world’s attention was squarely focused on Cape Town on Friday as the Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ mapped out the opening rounds of next year’s football showpiece.

In what Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa, Dr Danny Jordaan, described as ,”a great celebration of Africa”, the Final Draw was proof that South Africa is more than ready to put on a show like no other when the 32 teams arrive in the country. Go to FIFA to read full update

So how this will work is that Teams were devided into Groups. All teams in a specific Group will have the opportunity to play against each other. The top two teams in each group will go through to the next round.

Thus the schedule looks as follow (click on image to enlarge):

So here are all your World Cup qualifying teams

2010 FWC: Plan ahead and avoid drama

Although the official World Cup is 11 June - 11 July 2010, the period between March and July 2010 will be an exceptionally busy period with the pre- and post- arrangements.

Volume of Travellers expected
The 2010 Soccer World Cup will be approximately 15 times bigger than the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The media contingent that will attend is estimated at 30 000. Business travel is disrupted purely due to the volume of supporters.

Flights
To date no airline has released any prices or strategies for the World Cup period.
On pre- and post- match-days flights into and out of the venue cities will be overbooked. Due to the sheer volume of travellers, huge delays can be expected.

Road Closures
It is indicated that there will be limited access and in some instances complete road closures in the areas surrounding the stadium and fan parks. This will make it difficult for travellers to move freely between offsite meetings.

Critical Date
The next critical date for the 2010 FWC is the 4th December 2009 when the Pool draw is completed. This draw will indicate where the teams will be based and where their supporters will be spending most of their time.

Fixtures
The match schedule will be updated after the draw on the 4th December 2009. Games will be played at: 13h30, 16h00 and 20h30. Travellers need to allow for traffic congestion both at the stadium and the Fan Parks. It is advisable to allow 2hrs lead time if travelling to / from these areas.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRAVEL DURING THIS PERIOD
·Do not travel during these periods unless it is critical to travel.
·Try to make appointments at a location that is in the opposite direction of a stadium / fan park.
·When travelling allow for a minimum of 2 hours to get to the airport in Cape Town and possibly 3 hours for Johannesburg. The congestion on the roads both to and from the airports is going to be chaotic. Plan for delays.

But most of all .... be friendly to our visitors. I am sure that there will be some frustration and chaos, but try to assist foreign visitors where possible and let them feel the South African hospitality which we are so famous for. Remember that foreign visitors go back to their countries ...and depending on their experience they will either return with family and friends ...or join the group of people who talks negatively about SA wherever they go.

Moses Mabhida Stadium - Durban's pride

For more pics click here

(Thanks for this Wesley)

More pics: Moses Mabhida Stadium (Durban)

With every day passing ...excitement is growing. Other posts on Durban Stadium

Aerial shots of Durban Stadium

These are some aerial pics of Durban Stadium - WOW !!

Related post of Durban Stadium

The only way Bafana will win the 2010 World Cup

Cape Town Stadium - Lights, cameras ...action

2010 ...Durban Stadium is ready !!

Zakumi ...coming out?

With the 2010 World Cup on our door step, I was wondering if the soccer frenzy has also spilled over into our gay community. I don’t want to generalise, but we all know the sport mostly watched by gay people are swimming, diving, gymnastics etc. Don’t get me wrong you do get the gay ‘groupies’ who like to braai while watching the rugby (biltong and koeksister included), or the ones that will skip a night of partying because there is some major F1 race the following day. But where does it leave Soccer…the reason for the 2010 World Cup happening in South Africa.

I must confess that I was never an avid follower of soccer – until I experienced the absolute adrenaline rush of being swooped up by a cheering crowd of 60 thousand soccer fans and what seemed like a million Vuvuzelas blaring during the Confed Cup that took place in June/July this year. I always thought that I would get irritated by the Vuvuzela noise …but I can honestly say that it had no impact on my enjoyment of the game (I will even go as far as to say it contributed to the enjoyment …and this is not because I went out and bought my own Vuvuzela and cant wait to use it again).

I really think that our mascot Zakumi will at the end help with getting more gay and lesbian people to support the 2010 Soccer World Cup and actually go and watch a match or two. The first two letters of Zakumi are the country's initials in Afrikaans and "Kumi" means 10 in many African languages representing the year of the tournament. Zakumi also joined the ranks of SA's born-free generation as he was accorded with the birth date of June 16 1994, meaning he will turn 16 in 2010.

As he tries to be representative of all the different ages, races, languages etc …I am sure he also would like to see a stronger gay following. If presented with a gay flag, tiara and maybe a gay mag or two – I am sure he will grab his Vuvuzela and strut his stuff on the field without a worry in the world. Whatever your opinion …you have to agree that he is adorable. I hope I get invited if he ever decides to have his Coming-Out-Party ….