South Africa sets a Bench mark for the World

(A GNA feature by Michael Avamah)

Accra, July 13, GNA - Finally the voice of the "doubting Thomases" as to the success of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa has gone silent as the extraordinary soccer fiesta was brought to a close with a new twist at the soccer city stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. Before the start of the tournament, concerns were raised in relation to security, hospitality, transportation, accommodation, health and first aid that aimed at undermining the scale of Africa's decision in hosting this glorious event.

Regardless of all the criticisms and bashing, however, this year's world cup tournament will go down in FIFA history as one of the best. It was capped with a well planned closing ceremony characterized by true African custom and blended with advanced digital technology. This, coupled with the pageantry typical of South Africa and the African continent, made the just-ended tournament a very unique one. It was a delight to realize that the Africa United challenge was thrown to support the various competing African teams and to prove to the world the competence and capabilities of the Continent when given the chance.

Some teams that were earlier regarded as the 'gods of Soccer' had to take an early exit from the tournament for the first time. Dominant football countries such as France, Italy, England, Brazil and Argentina all had to bow out at a point, leaving Germany, Spain, Uruguay and the Netherlands as the only surviving popular football countries to advance to the final stages of the tournament. Mr Irvin Khoza, Chairman of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organizing Committee, quoted on a South African website prior to the world cup, expressed optimism that South Africa would be able to successfully host the tournament. He added that: "my conviction is that this will be a tournament wreathed in South African smiles, hosted by 44 million excited individuals eager to make this event extraordinary and unforgettable."

All too soon, the month-long fiesta wound down to the final match, with a beautiful closing ceremony and Spain crowned champions for the first time. We are happy and proud to be Africans at this point in time, no matter the cynicism against the continent's abilities and prospects. The sound of 'Ke Nako' (South African version of the phrase 'the time is now') at the beginning and closure of every match telecast during the world cup games, brings to mind the next host of the World Cup tournament, Brazil, which would be expected to bring her 'samba' to the party against the established ambience of the South African 'vuvuzela' when they prepare to play host to the world in 2014. 13 July 10