No more Plan B - Blatter

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Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:43

FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Monday insisted there was no way the 2010 World Cup would be moved from South Africa, saying any 'plan B' was now firmly dead and buried. Rumours have persisted that the tournament could be pulled from South Africa if it failed to meet organisational deadlines after Blatter admitted earlier this year that FIFA had contingency plans.
But he moved to reassure everyone involved that South Africa would host the event, which he described as 'my baby'. "There definitely is no plan B or C. The only plan is to make the South African event a success," he said at a press conference here alongside Danny Jordaan, the head of the 2010 organising committee. "If there are still doubters, let me say that the 2010 World Cup will be organised in South Africa," he added from Japan, where he is attending the Club World Cup.
South Africa will become the first African nation to host football's four-year showpiece event, with FIFA now confident that all necessary facilities will be ready in time. There had been concern that the 10 World Cup stadiums -- five new, five upgraded -- would not be finished, while the country's crime rate, where 50 murders happen every day, was also a worry. But all the issues were being dealt with, he said, adding that it would fulfil a lifelong ambition of his to see the tournament held in Africa. "Football is the most popular game in the world and in 2010 Africa will show that it is able to host a World Cup," he said. "I'll be proud because it is my baby."

The Confederations Cup in June next year will be a key test of South Africa's World Cup preparedness.

Sapa

Robben Island closes

THE Robben Island Museum will shut for two weeks beginning November 1, announced the heritage site’s council yesterday.

The tourism hot spot, just off the coast of Cape Town, will be temporarily closed to carry out maintenance and much-needed improvements. These projects include the repair and replacement of tour busses, the refurbishment of vessels and the management of the invasive rabbit population on the island.

Seelan Naidoo, interim ceo of the Robben Island Museum Council, said in a statement: “Following an intensive consultation process initiated by the Robben Island Museum that included the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, the State Vet and Cape Nature, immediate action will be taken to avert an ecological crisis on the Island as a result of rabbit overpopulation.”

The rabbit population has been troublesome and in particular, harmful to all natural vegetation on the island. This problem has led to the undernourishment of other animal species on the island.

A small population of the rabbits will be controlled with a sterilisation programme, while a number of the rabbits will be “humanely culled”.

“The decision to cull the animals was a very difficult one, however, there are no other alternatives available to restore ecological balance on Robben Island and to save important heritage sites from further degradation,” said Naidoo.

Robben Island has not offered any further information on the matter for the time being.

Ashanti Hotspot!!!

Ashanti's Wireless Hotspot is finally up and running!!! So now if you arrive with your own laptop you can access our network and check your emails next to the pool!!

Ashanti goes north to Mozambique

I have just returned from a two-week trip to Mozambique and it really is a perfect place to go for some serious R&R - and some serious partying too, if you like. I took the easy way out and flew directly into Inhembane and then transferred to Tofo. I whiled the day away in a hammock and ate loads of seafood. Days were spent deciding what to do the following day!! There are lots of diving opportunities for those licensed to do so, but I just snorkelled. It was phenomenal though - 1 metre away from a whale shark. That was a first!! One tends to forget that Mozambique is still quite rural as on the beach it is another world. But heading into the village or into town one is face to face with the local people and they are really friendly. A great part of the experience.
Any info required on Monzambique, contact us.