Tag Archives: 2010 World Cup ceremonies

Americans Bought the Most World Cup Tickets

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Americans Largest Buyers of 2010 World Cup TicketsThe Or Tambo International Airport has been under siege from thousands of Americans taking their vacation in South Africa. These Americans came from different cities such as New York, Atlanta and Washington. Others who were not so fortunate to get direct flights arrived groggy as their connecting flights took up to 2 days to complete.

Americans go to this continent to explore Kruger National Park or hike the Table Mountain. Some are interested in Nelson Mandela’s fight and choose to trace his path. This time around, the exodus of Americans is for a different reason though. Yes, it’s the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
There are only 3 days left to go before the soccer spectacle the whole world awaits is to start.

Statistics show that during this World Cup, the largest number of ticket holders did not come from countries that hold soccer as their primary sport. The country that has the most ticket holders is amazingly the United States, the country that focuses on Baseball, American Football and Basketball of course.

FIFA stated that more than 130,000 of the nearly 3 million tickets went to Americans. Apart from the host country, the United States garnered the most ticket purchases.

Not all of them are going to support the American World Cup team though. Inhabitants of the United States are fans of various teams such as Mexico, Honduras and other Latin American nations.

The main point of this all is soccer’s growing influence in a country that is so engrossed in other games. This comes as a big shock.

World Cup 2010 Kick-Off Marred by ‘Stampede’ Reports

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World Cup 2010 Ceremonies Marred by Stampede ReportsOn Monday, a stampede injured 16 people prior to a World Cup friendly game between Nigeria and North Korea. However, FIFA has cleared out that this incident is in no way related to their organization of the 2010 World Cup. They are still confident that the fixtures will remain peaceful the entire month in South Africa.

Despite their statement, media has still enjoyed publishing this story. The organizers couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable with the situation after they have assured the world that security in South Africa would be in order. Headlines like “Soccer Stampede Mayhem” only aggravated the situation.

A lot of those injured feared for their lives. Princess Mbali said:

When we were coming in, they were just stepping on us. I thought I was dying. I was at the bottom.

Among the 16 injured, only one was severely injured and that man was a police officer. The cause of the stampede was said to be a number of fans who tried to force their way in since they didn’t have tickets.

Lt. Col. Eugene Opperman, the official police spokesman, said that prior to the match, 8000 free tickets had been distributed and those who were not privileged enough to avail of them tried to force their way in before the kick-off.

Police officers did not know who distributed the tickets and FIFA has stated that it did not come from them.

This incident serves as a reminder of the probable setbacks the tournament might experience. Hopefully it will remain as a reminder and not turn out as a preview of things to come.

South Africa Ready to Start World Cup

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2010 World Cup Kicks Off in South AfricaThere was never any doubt to it but it was officially declared by the president himself that South Africa was very prepared to start the World Cup. President Jacob Zuma commended the association for helping to unite the once divided nation.

Only 5 days remain before the start and already the excitement of the fans are overflowing. President Zuma says there hasn’t been this much enthusiasm since the former president was released from prison in 1990. Zuma was entertaining reporters along with Sepp Blatter, FIFA president, at the presidential guesthouse in Pretoria.

Zuma was proud to see the numerous South African paraphernalia all over the country. These ranged from flags, banners, clothes, jerseys and more. He was so touched by the nationalism of the people and yet again commended the tournament as a huge help.

The president also rebuked critics who said that South Africa would not be able to do a good job in hosting the first every World Cup in the continent. South Africa won in 2004 the bid to host the prestigious international tournament from June 11 to July 11.

Blatter also mentioned that he had spoken with Nelson Mandela previously. He said that the South African icon made known his wish to be present at the opening and closing ceremonies.

Zuma says that once the final match is over on July 11, South Africa would be constantly developing its infrastructures and facilities. It will also push thru with the 1Goal education campaign, an internationally supported campaign which aims to educate more than 70 million African children.

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