FIFA’s President Sepp Blatter has announced that President Barack Obama has accepted an invitation to attend the opening ceremony of the World Cup at Soccer City in Johannesburg on 11 June 2010, reports the Cape Argus.
Being cautious about Obama’s actual attendance, Blatter said:” The President of the United States has been invited to the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup. He has accepted our invitation. But you know that heads of state are extremely busy and hopefully his schedule will allow him to attend.”
Blatter said that the world had started trusting Africa, including South Africa, in delivering a unique but spectacular World Cup. “The world will see a fantastic spectacle in Africa in 2010. South Africa is going to make everyone proud of Africa. Believe me, I trust Africa and South Africa completely. I have never for a minute doubted that the 2010 World Cup will be a massive success” Blatter added.
Blatter added: “It is a continent that has given us so much and it’s time to give it something in return. And look, our economic partners have shown their confidence, and television too. They will be there in 2010. It’s only right and I believe that it was a moral obligation of ours to give the World Cup to the Africans”, reports Reuters.
The opening match will attract up to 100 000 soccer fans, in a match at which Italy, as defending world champions, or Bafana Bafana, as hosts, will play.
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