Indian Holocaust My Father`s Life and Time- Three Hundred Ninety Two
Palash Biswas
http://indianholocaustmyfatherslifeandtime.blogspot.com/
TODAY - 11 June, 2010
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Special: Football World Cup 2010
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Dare the warnings of Death and Disaster, it is Football Time Now!
Not Brazil or ARGENTINA, me and my friends, though a few, do support AFRICA in this Football World Cup!Nevertheless,FIFA president Sepp Blatter called in way back January 2006 in Cairo for African countries to be given a bigger presence at future World Cup finals. This time , there areSIX African teams in the World Cup Final. You mya any African or if youlike Asian Team to support and Hope that Latin American and European Hegemonies would break up sometimes and Game of Black Untouchables get Back HOME!
Bengal is rooted in Aboriginal legacy and it is exposed best in World Cup Football Times every time as traditionally, Bengal remains Vertically divided in Two Camps, BRAZIL and Argentina.Well, there are fan clubs of Germany, England, Italy, Spain, France and Holland as any place should have. But those Island of European supporters are Outnumbered by Latin America. As it happened with EAST Bengal and Mohanbagan Saga as Bengal had been divided vertically between BANGAL and GHOTI,even in Eighties. The Football was NOT as Great as Nostalgia would Claim! It was the Fall Out of Population Transfer and the Partition Holocaust. The refugees could identify themselves with East Bengal!
My family at HOME way back in the resettled Colony in the Himalayan Terai of Nainital, Uttarakhand, in BASANTIPUR, was RIGID supporter of EAST Bengal as if it were the HOMELAND lost! Me and CHHOTOKAKA only were the Exception who were the only Supporters of MOHANBAGAN in the Refugee Area in Dineshpur. Everyone would cling with the Radio Set to get the latest. We did follow Kolkata Football out of Bengal. We did organise Clubs dedicated to Football. Yes, we had no idea about the World Football out there in Refugee Camps and Colonies scattered countrywide!
It is not the IT Revolution which seems to be so evident, but the TIME and Generation gap, that GHOTI and BANGAL sentiments are NOT that VIOLENT these days! But Bangal Nationality is so Violently Vocal that Political Border elopes with the Market Economy and Bengali Geopolitics is ruled by BRAHAMINICAL MIND Control. East Bengal Sentiments EXPIRED. Perhaps, in reaction, the Latin American SUPPORT Base gets stronger day by day with the paced decline of Bengali as well as Indian FOOTBALL and Sports in Totality!
This is High time that we should get back the ABORIGINAL roots as South African Suffery may Unite the Pan African Negroids which we are and lost our own Aboriginal Identity under the Post Modern Manusmriti Order Ruling the Free Market Democracy in the World on Fire. The Inherited INFERNO may be rather less Persecuting FEEL these days!
Ke Nako. In Sotho, one of the 11 recognised South African languages, this means 'It is time.'South Africa president Jacob Zuma said on Wednesday that his country "needed the World Cup", which gets underway on Friday, adding "it was a vote of confidence from the international community".
Zuma was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 60th Congress of FIFA, world football's governing body.
"There are some moments which define the history of a country. Tonight we are on the verge of living one of these moments when the 2010 World Cup gets underway," said Zuma.
"What an honour, what a privilege for our democracy of 16 years."
Zuma concluded his address by reading a message of goodwill from former president Nelson Mandela, whom he described as "our icon who continues to inspire us with his love of humanity and of his country and its people.
"Everybody in our country loves him and we dedicate the World Cup to him."
In his message, Mandela said: "Dear friends, today we mark another day in the story of our democracy. We welcome for the first time the 208 members of FIFA."
He added: "The 2010 World Cup is more than just a simple game. It symbolises the power of football to bring people together regardless of their language, colour of their skin, their politics or religion."
FIFA president Sepp Blatter thanked the efforts made by Zuma and the people of South Africa in the organisation of the World Cup which is taking place on the continent for the first time.
"The people here have made the dream a reality - to welcome the World Cup on African soil for the first time."
The biggest sporting extravaganza — the month-long football World Cup — starts in South Africa on Friday. It'll be a first for Africa, a continent the Olympics have feared to tread.
And with close to half a million visitors expected for the games, this will be the biggest, noisiest and most colourful party South Africa's ever hosted — even by the rainbow nation's own standards.
But the country's and the first African continent's first ever World Cup tournament is about more than just the coveted trophy.
It is expected to change the world's view of the hosts.
Dr Simeon Selby Ripinga, South African High Commissioner to Singapore, said: "Some people think that when you land in Johannesburg, you will be met by lions, you will get into a jungle and it's a survival of the fittest. But they will realize they have arrived into a modern country."
For the people of South Africa, tangible opportunities abound as the tourism industry is expecting a major boost with more jobs created.
The World Cup also presents wider opportunities for Africa as a whole.
"Most of the African countries will benefit. Countries in Southern African Development Community are working jointly with South Africa and in terms of promoting or creating what we call a trans-frontier programme which links those countries together in terms of roads," said Dr Ripinga.
Apart from the economics benefits, some groups are hoping to use the World Cup to help the next generation.
FIFA's 1GOAL campaign wants to make education a reality for 72 million children by 2015.
There's also a Dreamfields project which aims to help budding football players in South Africa and encourage children to feel good about themselves.
The initiative was started by a popular local radio journalist.
"I am hoping these young people will learn but above all I just hope they have fun," said John Perlman, Dreamsfields Founder.
An expected 25 billion viewers will be keeping a close eye on the World Cup in South Africa and any publicity gains could be undone by a major incident of crime or terrorism.
It is without much surprise the South African authorities have made security a top priority.
Mr Nathi Mthethwa, South African Minister of Police, said: "What makes us even more alert in our security planning is that South Africa will be hosting the whole world and therefore will take no chances."
And with the World Cup not returning to Africa in the near future, it is time for Africa to grasp this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"The opportunity will come just once," said Dr Ripinga.
For Africa, the World Cup is not just a thirty-day sporting extravaganza. It offers an opportunity to create a better for future for itself. - CNA/fa
Will this be a winter of discontent for Diego Maradona or will he join Franz Beckenbauer and Mario Zagallo in an elite club, that of World Cup winners as captain and coach? Or will Dunga do that?On the streets, people are blowing their vuvuzelas — plastic horns now symbolic of the World Cup. Flags are being sold, spit and polish being applied to Soccer City, where the hosts meet Mexico in Friday's opener. Nelson Mandela will be in attendance, his grandson Mandla said, unless it's too cold.
For the next four weeks, South Africa will hope the world talks about Messi, Kaka and Ronaldo rather than crime, unemployment and AIDS.
Messages welcoming visitors alternate with warnings to beware of illegal activity and requests to help the vulnerable on FM radio stations.
Will this be a winter of discontent for Diego Maradona or will he join Franz Beckenbauer and Mario Zagallo in an elite club, that of World Cup winners as captain and coach? Or will Dunga do that?
Will England end 44 years of "hurt" under an Italian coach? Will Fabio Cannavaro be the first captain to lift the gold statuette that travels in a Luis Vuitton case twice in succession? Will an African team go beyond the quarter-finals?
The answers will come gradually from 10 venues and 64 matches. By July 11, we will have them all.
South Africa has invested 33 billion rand (about Rs. 20,000 crore) in World Cup-related infrastructure, according to the local media. In what should be familiar to Delhiites, albeit on a far bigger scale, new stadia have been built, old ones refurbished and the transport system that includes a high-speed train and a new bus system upgraded for 19 billion rand (about Rs. 11,500 crore).
According to FIFA, the world's apex football body, the World Cup will add 55.7 billion rand (about Rs 33,800 crore) to South Africa's economy between 2006 and 2010.
"It will be a uniting factor for the nation," said Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla, who is also the chief of the Mvezo village where the anti-apartheid guru was born.
"South Africa will benefit but the effects of this World Cup will be felt by all of Africa," said Patrick Vieira, a World Cup and European championship winner with France, on Thursday morning.
For South Africa, therefore, this isn't just about football. They are sure they won't come up short and will be gracious hosts.
Even India — where, for three years and 11 months in between each World Cup finals, cricket is an intense, all-consuming religion — will get into football mode for the next four weeks. Like 172 other countries who didn't qualify, we will, as a former England coach said in a different context, "sit back with a beer and enjoy".
It really is time.
Best World Cup apps to follow the football in South AfricaMetro - Jun 8, 2010 Here's the top five apps that will bring a taste of South Africa to your phone. We'd all like to watch every minute of every game of the 2010 World Cup, ... 'Africa United' Q&A: Part OneSportinglife.com - - Jun 4, 2010 Our Jon Holmes sat down for a Q&A with Steve and here, in Part One, we discuss his book and his experiences of football in Africa. ... FIFA World Cup 2010 Football Match Schedule in South AfricaJeamazing News (blog) - Jun 8, 2010 Additional details that you should know about the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa is that the official ball is named "Jabulani" which means "bringing ... Football's biggest show rolls out in South AfricaNEXT - - Jun 5, 2010 A momentous occasion it will be not only for the South Africans but the whole of Africa as the biggest football show on earth is finally taking place in ...  2010 FIFA World Cup Updates | World Cup Opening CeremonyMixx Buzzers (blog) - Jun 9, 2010 ... 20 Centres for 2010, a charity campaign dedicated to building twenty Football for Hope Centres for public health, education and football across Africa. ... Zuma welcomes Fifa familyGCIS South Africa 2010 - Jun 8, 2010 Mr Blatter, we welcome you and the FIFA family acknowledging your positive work for social change through football in Africa. FIFA's 'Build a better future' ... World Cup 2010: FIFA to donate commercial public viewing licence fees to build ...Malta Independent Online - - Jun 8, 2010 ... is to achieve positive social change through football by building 20 Football for Hope Centres for public health, education and football across Africa. ... Football: The World Cup is more than just a coveted trophyChannel News Asia - Jun 8, 2010 In two days time, the world's biggest sporting event will kick off in South Africa. From modern stadiums to dusty pitches, football fever is sweeping South ...  World Cup fans' village takes shapeDaily Monitor - Jun 9, 2010 "Who will say I never watched the World Cup yet I am in South Africa." At the football village, several festivities including traditional dances, ... South Africa break into World Cup celebrationsSify - Jun 9, 2010 South Africa erupted in a cacophony of hooting at lunchtime Wednesday as people across the country answered a call to 'get behind' the national football ...  South Africa gets the green light to partyIrish Times - Jun 9, 2010 ... importance of this tournament to South Africa. Among the merry lunacy of the streets, a bearded man in a red football shirt was busy throwing a football ... The World Cup: Scoring against racismSofia Echo - Jun 8, 2010 The 2010 Fifa Football World Cup in South Africa kicks off on June 11. The road to the first football World Cup in Africa has been long for host South ... Football's African odysseyThe Hindu - Jun 9, 2010 Nevertheless, the choice of South Africa to host the World Cup is a tribute to the rising stature of African nations in football. Five-time winner Brazil, ... South Africa's Long Road to 2010 World Cup Seen As Boosting ReconciliationVoice of America - - Jun 8, 2010 South Africa will play the upcoming soccer World Cup in the group A. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) The road to the first football (soccer) World Cup in Africa ... The Monday MiscellanyFootballing World - Jun 7, 2010 Football in Africa simply does not bring more 'colour and vibrancy', whatever most of the media say in the run up to the Cup of Nations. ... World Cup Football 2010: A new South Africa ready to welcome World Cupbettor.com (blog) - - Jun 7, 2010 South Africa has undergone many changes over the past decades, changes that have brought it to the point of hosting one of the world's largest events in the ... A unique setting for a familiar battleFOXNews - - Jun 7, 2010 ... injuries and the lessons of past World Cups outside Europe suggest the football at Africa's first finals will resonate to familiar Latin rhythms. ... Football: Annan, Drogba team up to launch 'Scoring Africa'Afrique en Ligue - Jun 9, 2010 Both figures hope that as well as celebrating the World Cup, 'Scoring for Africa' makes football fans around the world aware of another dimension to the ...  The party gets going in South Africaeuronews - Jun 9, 2010 Even though the opening match is not until Friday, the first big event of the 2010 football World Cup is underway in South Africa. ... EU, UN messages ahead of kick-off of 2010 Football World CupSofia Echo - Jun 8, 2010 "South Africa is a stunning country, rich in tradition, culture and vibrancy. Football is above all about hope. It is the perfect platform for South ...  South Africa fans bring Johannesburg to a standstillTelegraph.co.uk - - Jun 9, 2010 Around 60000 football fans brought the streets of Johannesburg to a standstill to show their support for the South African World Cup team. ... World Cup 2010: South Africa hope to lead African chargeThe Guardian (blog) - Jun 9, 2010 Follow the Guardian's World Cup team on Twitter • Sign up to play our great Fantasy Football game • Stats centre: Get the lowdown on every player • The ... Football: The gruelling journey to World CupChannel News Asia - - Jun 8, 2010 The World Cup in South Africa is the event that footballers and fans have been waiting for. ... Why it's standing room only for World Cup VIPsIndependent - - Jun 9, 2010 And it could be the task that tests relations between the South African government and world football's governing body, Fifa, to destruction. ... South Africans pull out their brightest to match happy rushTimes of India - - Jun 9, 2010 In world football's version of the wardrobe wars, South Africa would have easily stolen the thunder over Brazil. But there is serious stuff on too. ...  World Cup 2010: Sepp Blatter hopes tournament leave lasting legacy in AfricaTelegraph.co.uk - - Jun 8, 2010 But what is more important is the activities we are carrying out for football development under our 'Win in Africa with Africa' initiative or for social ... Jubilant fans line streets to show support for South Africa team ahead of ...Gaea Times (blog) - - Jun 9, 2010 With the World Cup slated to kick off in June, prostitutes are eyeing good money as an estimated 500000 football fans visit South Africa. ...  World Cup 2010: rich and poor unite for Bafana Bafana's open-bus paradeTelegraph.co.uk - - Jun 9, 2010 I remember Nelson Mandela telling me that football has the power to unify people, to bring people together. "And out there today you saw South Africa: there ... South Africa is the first African Country to host the Football World Cuphumtum18.com (blog) - Jun 8, 2010 The Soccer fans around the world are ready to watch the Football matches of FIFA World Cup 2010 from South Africa.The first country of South Africa to host ... |
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Fireworks light up sky as Africa hosts first WC
ohannesburg: The world's largest sporting spectacle starts on Friday as it is Bafana Bafana against Mehico in the first match and later Uruguay takes on France in the FIFA World Cup 2010.Ahead of the opening ceremony, fireworks lit up the sky over Soweto in Johannesburg as 30,000 people watched local and international superstars in a concert.
Security was tight, but the atmosphere was jovial as Cape Town opened its official Fan Fest for the World Cup. Crowds queued up for hours to enter the Grand Parade in the heart of the city, where matches will be shown live and musical acts will entertain South Africans and tourists alike.
Police kept a close eye on fans in the park while hired security screened the thousands of people who entered the facility. Nearly 4,00,000 tourists visiting South Africa are expected to put the 'Mother City' of Western Cape on their itinerary.
The month-long event kicks off on Friday with the opening match between hosts South Africa and Mexico which will take place at 7.30 pm Indian time.
And trust the Soccer City stadium to be an ocean of colour with loud local horns called Vuvuzelas.
South Africa's former president Nelson Mandela is set to attend part of the opening ceremony and the opening game. He will be present on Friday, but will not attend the entire opening game as his family is worried about his health.
The World Cup kicks off with a 40-minute opening ceremony at Soccer City. American R'n'B star R Kelly is one of 1,581 performers who will perform in the opening ceremony ahead of the game between the hosts South Africa and Mexico.
South Africa have never progressed beyond the group stage at the World Cup, though they have only taken part in two previous tournaments, in 1998 and 2002.
Defending champions Italy start on Monday with a match against Paraguay, Brazil face North Korea in their first game on Tuesday and Euro 2008 winners Spain start their bid for a first World Cup win by taking on Switzerland on Wednesday.
Some of the world's best players like Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Villa and Fernando Torres will feature in this edition of the World Cup.
But some big names will be missing because of injury, such as England duo Rio Ferdinand and David Beckham, Germany skipper Michael Ballack, Ghana midfielder Michael Essien and Portugal winger Nani.
In all, 32 teams will participate in this year's World Cup with total of 64 games to be played. The final will take place on July 11 at the Soccer City stadium here.
What's Trending
Football World Cup 2010
It's Messi or messy for Argentina in opener
The haphazard direction of coach Diego Maradona has created doubts over the team's readiness for the World Cup. 11:25 AM, Jun 11, 2010
Uruguay, France have a point to prove
Uruguay are a defensively sound unit, while France have typically been involved in tight matches. 10:38 AM, Jun 11, 2010Mandela's great-granddaughter dies in crash
Nelson Mandela's 13-year-old great-granddaughter was killed in a car crash after the World Cup concert. 10:24 AM, Jun 11, 2010SA aim for Round of 16 with opening win
The Mexicans are the better team, but South Africa has improved steadily and are very fit. 10:07 AM, Jun 11, 2010
Colourful Soccer City to open and close WC
Soccer City, the stadium that will host the opening and closing games of the world's biggest football tournament. 09:46 AM, Jun 11, 2010Upcoming Fixtures
| Date | Match | Time (IST) |
| 11/06 | South Africa vs Mexico | 19:30 |
| 12/06 | Uruguay vs France | 00:00 |
| 12/06 | Korea Republic vs Greece | 17:00 |
| 12/06 | Argentina vs Nigeria | 19:30 |
| 13/06 | England vs USA | 00:00 |
| 13/06 | Algeria vs Slovenia | 17:00 |
| 13/06 | Serbia vs Ghana | 19:30 |
| 14/06 | Germany vs Australia | 00:00 |
| 14/06 | Netherlands vs Denmark | 17:00 |
| 14/06 | Japan vs Cameroon | 19.30 |
| 15/06 | Italy vs Paraguay | 0:00 |
| 15/06 | New Zealand vs Slovakia | 17:00 |
| 15/06 | Ivory Coast vs Portugal | 19:30 |
| 16/06 | Brazil vs Korea DPR | 00:00 |
| 16/06 | Honduras vs Chile | 17:00 |
| 16/06 | Spain vs Switzerland | 19:30 |
The World's Cup beginsHindustan Times - 1 hour ago AP Japan's Yuichi Komano, right, vies for a ball during a training match against Zimbabwe at Outeniqua Park in George, South Africa. Ke Nako. In Sotho, one of the 11 recognised South African languages, this means 'It is time. ... Friday's World Cup 2010 round-upBBC Sport - 17 minutes ago South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena says his side will have no nerves when they walk out in front of an expectant 85000-strong home crowd at the Soccer City stadium for their World Cup opener against Mexico on Friday. "We are looking forward to the game ... Fireworks light up sky as Africa hosts first WCIBNLive.com - 2 hours ago Johannesburg: The world's largest sporting spectacle starts on Friday as it is Bafana Bafana against Mehico in the first match and later Uruguay takes on France in the FIFA World Cup 2010. Ahead of the opening ceremony, fireworks lit up the sky over ...
World Cup 2010: South Africa carries the standard for AfricaTelegraph.co.uk - - 34 minutes ago In the 20 years since Nelson Mandela walked from prison South Africa has defied the predictions of racial violence and chaos many predicted would follow. Starting on Friday, when the hosts take on Mexico in the opening game of Africa's ... Soweto rocks, flags wave on eve of World CupThe Hindu - 1 hour ago AP South African President Jacob Zuma (left) and FIFA President Joseph Blatter address the gathering to kick-start opening concert for the soccer World Cup at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, June 10, 2010. Soweto township, site of ... Colourful Soccer City to open and close WCIBNLive.com - 1 hour ago AP Johannesburg: Soccer City, the stadium that will host the opening and closing games of the world's biggest football tournament, encapsulates South Africa's World Cup — colorful, traditional and hope for a brighter future. Situated on the outskirts ... Africa's day comes as World Cup kicks offTimes of India - 4 hours ago JOHANNESBURG: Africa's long wait finally ends on Friday when the first World Cup on the continent kicks off with the host nation facing Mexico in the opening match. South Africa has been brimming with pride and anticipation all week as the Rainbow ... Rousting Africa's Sleeping GiantNew York Times - - 3 hours ago Guillermo Arias/AP The Times's soccer blog has the 2010 World Cup covered from all angles, with news, features and live analysis of every match. Follow your team to the final with our printable schedule and bracket. ... Facts about Friday's matchesThe Hindu - 1 hour ago Match No. 1, South Africa vs. Mexico: The opening match of the 19th FIFA World Cup will be fought between host South Africa and Mexico. It will be the fourth match between the two sides, but the first in a World Cup. No home nation has lost in seven ... Moment of truth for World Cup hostsSportinglife.com - 35 minutes ago South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena is adamant his side will be nerveless when they open the World Cup in Johannesburg later today. The host nation are certain to feel the weight of expectation when they play Mexico in front of a capacity Soccer City ... | Timeline of articles Number of sources covering this story
Videos South Africa parties before World Cup kickoff Al Jazeera - 4 hours ago Watch video  Raw Video: Concert in Soweto on Eve of World Cup The Associated Press - 5 hours ago Watch video  Concert in Soweto on Eve of World Cup The Associated Press - 5 hours ago Watch video
 World Cup Invigorates South African National Pride PBS News Hour - 5 hours ago Watch video  Shakira Gets Zulu Dance in South Africa The Associated Press - 10 hours ago Watch video
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Dow on Bhopal: Bottom line important, Indians got $500NDTV.com - 1 hour ago Despite the outrage over the lack of accountability for the Bhopal gas tragedy and the failure to nail top Union Carbide officials, Dow Chemicals, which took over Union Carbide, insists that it cannot be responsible for any clean-up at the gas leak ... Why did India accept a mere $500 for every Bhopal life?NDTV.com - 1 hour ago In 2002, Dow Chemicals paid 10 million dollars to the family of a child who became brain-injured after being exposed to their pesticide. A few years before that, the Indian government had settled with Union Carbide, which was bought by Dow in 2001, ... Arjun Singh disturbed by allegations, claims local mediaNDTV.com - 3 hours ago For the first time since the Bhopal verdict came out earlier this week, Arjun Singh, the then Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister who is believed to have helped key accused Warren Anderson to leave the country, seems to have spoken out. ...
Warren Anderson should stand trial in India: Frank PalloneNDTV.com - 4 hours ago PTI, Updated: June 11, 2010 07:07 IST, Washington Influential New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone has said former Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson deserves to be extradited from the US and stand trial in India in connection with the Bhopal gas ... Carbide's Anderson not too old to stand trialTimes of India - - 8 hours ago WASHINGTON: The name Vladas Zajanckausas isn't one that jumps out of the headlines here in America, much less in India. He's a 93-year-old Lithuanian-American, who for years has been fighting a US government move to deport him for trial to Lithuania ... 'Call to fly out Anderson came from CM office'Times of India - 8 hours ago BHOPAL: A day after Moti Singh, the collector of Bhopal when the deadly gas leak took place, revealed that Union Carbide Corporation chairman Warren Anderson was released on orders from then state chief secretary Brahmaswaroop, then aviation director ... Anderson blame game begins: It's Cong vs CongTimes of India - 11 hours ago NEW DELHI: The dramatic release of former Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson just hours after his arrest has roiled Congress, sparking a bitter factional war which threatens to claim former PM Rajiv Gandhi as its collateral victim. ... Arjun said Warren release his decisionTimes of India - 8 hours ago BHOPAL: In his first press meet after the Bhopal gas tragedy, then CM Arjun Singh had told the media that releasing Warren Anderson on bail and sending him back to the US was his "personal decision" and that there was no pressure on him to do so from ... GoM to examine issues releted to Bhopal tragedy:GovtPress Trust of India - 28 minutes ago New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) Amid questions over how the then Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson fled India, Government today said the Group of Ministers set up on the Bhopal gas tragedy issue will look into all aspects related to the incident and facts ... I will speak at an appropriate time: ArjunThe Hindu - 8 hours ago PTI Senior Congress leader Arjun Singh, whose Madhya Pradesh government's role in facilitating the departure of the former Union Carbide chief, Warren Anderson, from Bhopal in December 1984 has come under the scanner, has said that reports appearing in ... | Timeline of articles Number of sources covering this story
Videos NDTV travels to Anderson's house NDTV.com - 21 hours ago Watch video  Bhopal then collector Moti Singh on Anderson NDTV.com - 21 hours ago Watch video  Govt let Warren Anderson go says former DM Moti Singh NewsX - Jun 9, 2010 Watch video  Former CJI Justice Ahmadi on Bhopal Gas Tragedy NewsX - Jun 9, 2010 Watch video |
Football in India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Association football is one of india's popular sports, and is said to rank first in popularity in states like West Bengal, Goa, Kerala and the entire North-East India, especially Manipur, Mizoram and Sikkim. Football is played in almost all schools in India.
Having been Asian champions once, the standard of Indian football has decreased due to a lack of investment. As other Asian nations in which football is the most popular sport, Indian football was largely neglected in preference to cricket. In this sport the Indian national cricket team is among the top three countries in the world.[1] In September 2006, India and Brazil signed an agreement formalising a scheme to train Indian footballers and coaches.[2]
Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), in the state of West Bengal, is considered to be the home of Indian football. The city contains the two most famous Indian teams, East Bengal Club and Mohun Bagan AC. Derbies between these two clubs are popular events in Kolkata. Recently, Goan clubs have been doing very well in the I-league. Dempo FC are the defending champions.
Contents[hide] |
[edit] Structure of the game in India
The game in India is administered by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), which is affiliated to the regional Asian Football Confederation, as well as to the worldwide body FIFA. The Indian national team has entered into the regional Asian Cup but has never competed in any World Cup. The Indian women's national team has also played in various competitions; moreover, women's football has its own separate inter-state and state competitions. Youth football is administered by the governmental Sports Authority of India.
The standard of Indian football (compared globally) is poor. According to FIFA rankings, the national team is ranked 132th place in the world as of April 2010, and is said to struggle to qualify for both the World Cup and the Asian Cup. Part of this has been put down to the lack of opportunities for proper training and development of players in the country.
[edit] History
The early Indian football clubs include Dalhousie Club, Traders Club and Naval Volunteers Club.
Initially, games were played between army teams. However, clubs were soon set up around the country. Mohun Bagan Athletic Club was set up in what is now West Bengal in 1889. The club became famous in 1911 when it became the first Indian team to lift the IFA Shield, a tournament previously won only by British teams based in India. It defeated the Eastern Yorkshire Regiment 2-1 in the final of the tournament in a victory that is still regarded by many as the greatest by an Indian team before Independence.
The Indian Football Association (IFA) was established in Calcutta in 1893, but did not have a single Indian on its board until the 1930s.
The national football team was quite successful until the 1970s, when it qualified for the Olympics. The team qualified for the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, but could not appear as they still played bare feet at the time.
The Indian team also won gold medals in football at the 1951 and 1962 Asian Games, and finished fourth at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne.
In August 2007, the Indian national team won the Nehru Cup for the first time in its history beating Syria 1-0.[3] In August the following year, India defeated Tajikistan 4-1 to lift the AFC Challenge Cup and in turn qualified for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.
In 2009 August, India again won the Nehru Cup beating Syria in penalty (6-5).
[edit] Women's football
Women's football has not had the relative head start over the rest of the world that the men's game has had, and also has not had the chance to spread through the country like its male counterpart. The game was administerd by the Women's Football Federation of India (WFFI) from 1975 until the early 1990s when they were absorbed into the AIFF. However, there are complaints that women's football is treated as a poor relation to the men's game leading to (unfulfilled) plans to de-merge the WFFI.[4]
The women's game, like the men's game, also has its early pioneers in the state of West Bengal. The large Kolkata teams, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, started women's club sides in the 2000/01 season, and they participate with other teams in the Calcutta Women's Football League. However, it has been seen recently that players from Manipur have made advances in the game. Players from these two states make up a large part of the India women's national football team.
The main women's national competition is played on a state vs. state basis in the Senior Women National Championship [5]. There are also similar national championships for junior teams: Junior Girls National Championship (for under 19s) and the Under-17 Girls National Championship.
Some female players have become internationally recognised. Among them are Chitra Gangadharan selected to play for the All Asian Star team. Jaanki Kotecha was selected as captain to the All Asian Star Team in 2008-2009, where she led her team to victory. In February 2000, Sujata Kar and Alpana Sil became the first Indian footballers to sign a contract outside India. They signed with the German team TSV Crailsheim, but had to return after a month due to problems with the clearance of their international transfer.
Until 1983, women's football tok part in international tournaments like the Asia Cup. For example the team won silver in 1980 at Calicut. In later years it had become poor in status just like its male counterpart. In the 2003 AFC Women's Championship, the Indian team was embarrassed by a 12-0 defeat to the Chinese women's team.[6]
The poor support of the national team by the AIFF became evident, when the team's trip to Germany was only made possible by Non Resident Indians in the country, and by the support of the German Football Association. Furthermore, championships are hold in remote locations, and national media coverage is said to be restricted to state and local newspapers.[4]
The women's game reached a new low in June 2009 when FIFA delisted the side from its world rankings for being out of action for more than 18 months. This comes at a time when the game is gaining in popularity amongst the younger generation as evident by the local leagues conducted around the country. The recently concluded Mumbai Football League 2009-10 organised by the MDFA (Mumbai District Football Association) was a major success and featured many talented players who had played for the national team.[7]
[edit] See also
- List of football clubs in India
- India national football team
- India women's national football team
- Football around the world
- India national under-20 football team
- India national under-23 football team
[edit] References
- ^ "ICC Test and ODI rankings". Cricinfo.com. http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/rankings/content/current/page/211271.html. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
- ^ "Brazil to the rescue of Indian football". India eNews. 2006-09-13. http://www.indiaenews.com/europe/20060913/22083.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
- ^ "India upstage Syria 1-0 to lift Nehru Cup". http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-29226020070829.
- ^ a b Autor. "Gender and sport in India: aspects of women's football by Arunava Chaudhuri (english)". Indien-netzwerk.de. http://www.indien-netzwerk.de/navigation/frauen/artikel/achaudhuri-womenfootball.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
- ^ http://www.aiffonline.com/women-comp/index.asp
- ^ "Sound planning needed". Sportstaronnet.com. http://www.sportstaronnet.com/tss2628/stories/20030712005400600.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
- ^ "Women's Home". Football Mumbai. 2009-06-27. http://www.footballmumbai.com/index_women.html. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
[edit] External links
- BBC Sport - "What's holding back Indian football?"
- "Gender and sport in India: aspects of women's football"
- "Indian Football Association over the ages" (Video)
- Indian Football photos
- Indian Football Videos
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Little hope for success for African teams
- Posted by Mark Gleeson
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A first World Cup draw on African soil was not particularly kind to the continent.
Cape Town last Friday hosted the pairings of the 32 finalists and high hopes for some sort of African success at the 2010 finals were tempered quickly as the teams were separated into their various groups.
Cameroon, Ghana and the Ivory Coast hold out the best hopes for Africa to set a new landmark of achievement at the tournament but any confidence in their growing aptitude and confidence seeped away as the permutations were revealed.
The World Cup is becoming something of an African Holy Grail.
Cameroon, Senegal set standard
Cameroon reached the quarter-finals of the 1990 tournament in Italy, and Senegal matched that feat in Japan 12 years later, but Africa's perceived potential has been far from realised in the tournaments in between.
Home advantage in 2010 was expected to offer up the prospect of a possible winner, maybe more realistically a finalist or a team in the final four.
For the first time there are six African competitors at the finals, although hosts South Africa are the lowest ranking of all 32 teams and their ambition is a decidedly more modest one - getting past the first round.
Even that now looks a Herculean task after they were drawn with two former World Cup winners and a two-time World Cup host in Group A. To get past France, Mexico and Uruguay is going to be some sort of achievement.
Ivory Coast in tough
Didier Drogba's Ivorian side had a tough draw for their maiden appearance in Germany in 2006, when they were grouped with Argentina, the Netherlands and Serbia and Montenegro. Now they have as difficult a task getting past Brazil and Portugal in Group G, with North Korea the other team in the group.
If the Elephants are eliminated as quickly as they were in Germany, with it will go a very realistic chance of African success at the 2010 tournament.
Perennial challengers Cameroon have the Dutch, Denmark and Japan to contend with. The Dutch were devastating in European qualifying and the Danes won a very difficult group. Japan played in South Africa in a friendly international last month and looks a formidable outfit.
Ghana is in Group D against Germany, Australia and Serbia. There too, the chances of emerging from the group looks daunting as Serbia have evolved into a new force in Europe, the Australians are getting more powerful since their conversion into a member of the Asian confederation and Germany, well, is Germany.
Saadane vs. Capello
After the draw, he seemed more like a fan basking in the excitement of going up against David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and company, and admitted the prospect of pitting his wits against Fabio Capello was a thrilling prospect.
Algeria have already won their World Cup - getting through an emotive and combustible playoff with north African rivals Egypt was akin to lifting that golden statute for them.
Of all the 2010 African representatives, possibly only Nigeria could raise a smile. They are paired with Argentina and Greece, with whom they both played in their maiden World Cup finals appearance in the U.S. in 1994, and the South Koreans.
The irony for the Super Eagles, however, is that it comes at a time when their team has nothing of the formidable quality of the preceding generations. Gone, and not replaced, are the playmaking abilities of Jay-Jay Okocha, the searching passes of Sunday Oliseh and the scoring acumen of Rashidi Yekini.
Instead, Nigeria's current side is unsettled, inconsistent and, although undoubtedly talented, devoid of any real self belief.
It could be they will go to the tournament satisfied they have done enough just by qualifying this time round.
It will be a pity because Nigeria is the one country with the talented resources to finally fulfill the prophecy of an African win at the World Cup. But it is not likely to be in 2010.
Cold weather
Indeed, African success is a long shot. Home advantage will come in spirit and sentiment only. Conditions will be cold and South Africa bares little resemblance to West Africa or even the north of the continent.
But the hope remains Africa can engineer some sort of new landmark in what will be an emotive stage for its football. If only the draw had produced a helping hand ...
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifaworldcup/blog/2009/12/little-hope-for-success-for-african-teams.html
2010 FIFA World Cup Power Rankings - Top African Team
Since in the 2010 FIFA World Cup is taking place for the first time ever on African soil, it seems only fitting that we begin by looking at the African nations participating in the upcoming instalment of the world's biggest sporting event.
The African nations to have made the cut are an interesting sextet: Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and South Africa.
BetUS has rolled out over 12 markets on the competition proper, one of which is– the Top African Team Props. They are as follows:
- Ivory Coast -120
- Ghana +300
- Cameroon +450
- Nigeria +500
- South Africa +900
- Algeria +2000
Top three Faves: Ivory Coast, Ghana and Cameroon
The Ivorian Elephants are the hot favourites of the African nations and are tipped to have the best World Cup campaign of the lot. They were nigh indomitable in their qualifying campaign and stomped the competition something good. High hopes precede them indeed and with Didier Drogba fortifying their ranks it is hard to imagine they would not advance (at least) to the R16. They expect a better result, natch.
Ivory Coast were dealt a tough draw so reaching the last 16 is not going to be a cakewalk. With Brazil and Portugal in their midst in Group G, and the favourites to secure the two spots up for grabs, Ivory Coast understandably come in as the dark horse nation.
Ghana Black Stars are listed second after Ivory Coast in the Top African Team market, trading at +300. Ghana aim to improve on their last outing at the World Cup finals in German – a last 16 appearance.
Ghana qualified on the heels of a strong campaign but as they fall into a rather tough Group D, which includes Germany, Australia and Serbia, they too will have their work cut out for them.
Germany are hands-down the favourites to advance into the knockout stages. Opinion is split between Ghana and Serbia as the second faves. Most surely lean towards Ghana, but Serbia are considered the dark horse in the group and the team to watch for the possible shakedown.
Cameroon Lions will be looking to replicate the heroics of their nation's 1990 roster that competed in the World Cup in Italy and surprised all asunder by reaching the quarterfinals. Cameroon are listed third in the Top African Nation market at BetUS, carrying a price of +450 odds.
To Bet on the WORLD CUP ACTION now >> JOIN HERE
Just as the 1990 squad had a go-to guy in Roger Milla, the 2010 squad has their talisman in Samuel Eto'o. Eto'o, thrice an African Footballer of the Year Award recipient and a genuine world-class superstar, gives Cameroon's odds value. Eto'o was the second highest top scorer in the African zone, with nine goals – three shy of Moumouni Dagano at 12 goals (Burkina Faso). At times, Eto'o seemed to singlehandedly carry Cameroon through the qualifying rounds, and they will be looking at him to be their leader in South Africa.
Cameroon fall into Group E with the Netherlands, Denmark and Japan. They are considered by and large the second favourites in this group to advance but they will have to overcome an attractive Denmark and a lethal Netherlands, both outfits that arrive in South Africa on the back of convincing qualifying campaigns.
The tipping question is whether this is finally the year when an African nation will come of age on the biggest soccer platform, scripting history unimaginable at previous World Cups as the first-ever African country to win the title. Indeed, if it were to happen it could not happen at a better moment in time or a better place than South Africa.
Naturally, there are several peripheral BetUS markets involving these nations and this very question, such as Winning Continent, which is as follows:
- Europe -210
- South America +185
- Rest Of The World +1200
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World Cup African team's coaches
African teams' foreign love
Posted: 2010-03-30 15:13
Algeria's Rabah Saadane will be the only 'home-grown' coach amongst the African teams at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but this has been very much the norm since Egypt became the first side from the continent to appear at the global showpiece in 1934.
Of the five other African participants this year, Ivory Coast will be coached by Sven-Goran Eriksson (Sweden), while Lars Lagerback will become the second Swede to coach at the finals. Ghana are led by Milovan Rajevac (Serbia), Cameroon by Paul Le Guen (France) and, of course, South African by Carlos Alberto Parreira (Brazil).
But the Egyptians were pioneers in the overseas coaching department when they were led by the Scotsman James McRae at the 1934 finals in Italy.
Macedonian tactician Blagoja Vidinić was the next to lead an African team to the finals when he took Morocco to the 1970 finals in Mexico, and was then handed the job of leading Zaire (now DR Congo) at the 1974 finals in West Germany.
Abdelmajid Chetali became the first home-grown coach to led his national at a World Cup when he took Tunisia to the 1978 tournament in Argentina.
Algeria, who will be appearing in their third finals this year, have always picked a local coach. The duo of Mahieddine Khalef and Rachid Mekloufi did duty in Spain in 1982, while Saadane was the tactician when they appeared in Mexico 86.
He is now in his fifth spell in charge of the side having had numerous care-taker roles, but it is an achievement to lead a team to two finals some 24 years apart.
From then on the 'home-growns' have been few and far between. Mahmoud El-Gohary took Egypt to the 1990 finals in Egypt, Abdellah Blinda was with Morocco at USA 94, Jomo Sono was in charge of Bafana Bafana in 2002, Nigeria's Festus Onigbinde led his side at the same tournament and Luís Gonçalves took Angola to the 2006 event in Germany.
There is one man who has led three African teams at the World Cup though. Former Mamelodi Sundowns boss Henri Michel took charge of Cameroon in 1994, Morocco in 1998 and Ivory Coast in 2006. He was also fired by Tunisia before the 2002 finals having led the side to qualification for Japan and South Africa. And all this having coached France at the 1986 finals in Mexico.
AFRICA'S COACHES AT THE WORLD CUP:
1934
Egypt: James McRae (Scotland)
1970
Morocco: Blagoja Vidinić (Macedonia)
1974
Zaire: Blagoja Vidinić (Macedonia)
1978
Tunisia: Abdelmajid Chetali (Tunisia)
1982
Cameroon: Jean Vincent (France)
Algeria: Mahieddine Khalef and Rachid Mekloufi (both Algeria)
1986
Algeria: Rabah Saadane (Algeria)
Morocco: José Faria (Brazil)
1990
Cameroon: Valeri Nepomniachi (Russia)
Egypt: Mahmoud El-Gohary (Egypt)
1994
Cameroon: Henri Michel (France)
Morocco: Abdellah Blinda (Morocco)
Nigeria: Clemens Westerhof (Netherlands)
1998
Morocco: Henri Michel (France)
South Africa: Philippe Troussier (France)
Cameroon: Claude Le Roy (France)
Nigeria: Bora Milutinović (Serbia)
Tunisia: Henryk Kasperczak (Poland)
2002
Senegal: Bruno Metsu (France)
South Africa: Jomo Sono
Cameroon: Winfried Schäfer (Germany)
Nigeria: Festus Onigbinde (Nigeria)
Tunisia: Ammar Souayah (Tunisia)
2006
Ivory Coast: Henri Michel (France)
Angola: Luís Gonçalves (Angola)
Ghana: Ratomir Dujković (Serbia)
Togo: Otto Pfister (Germany)
Tunisia: Roger Lemerre (France)
2010
Ivory Coast: Sven-Goran Eriksson (Sweden)
Nigeria: Lars Lagerback (Sweden)
Ghana: Milovan Rajevac (Serbia)
South Africa: Carlos Alberto Parreira (Brazil)
Algeria: Rabah Saadane (Algeria)
Cameroon: Paul Le Guen (France)
Catch FIFA World Cup action on your mobileEconomic Times - 11 hours ago KOLKATA: With soccer mania at fever pitch, the mobile phone screen is fighting for its share of space with the TV. A host of mobile phone software and application developers are gearing up to roll out specialised applications for the World Cup which ... FIFA World Cup 2010 kick startsOneindia - 27 minutes ago Johannesburg, Jun 11: After months of excitement brewing in the stomachs of the football lovers across the globe, the FIFA World Cup 2010 finally kick started on Thursday, Jun 10 with all the glitz and the glamor. Thousands of fans gathered at the ... FIFA World Cup Schedule: 2010India News - 51 minutes ago The schedule of FIFA World Cup – 2010. The live match will be seen on ESPN and on ABC. The schedule of FIFA World Cup – 2010. The live match will be seen on ESPN and on ABC. Schedules are subject to change. The timings is eastern timings. ... FIFA World Cup 2010-The Greatest Show on earth opens todayBellevision - 1 hour ago 11 June 2010: Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup-2010 considered to be the greatest show on earth that takes place every four years will begin today, Friday, 11th June 2010, in the afternoon with a grand opening ceremony ... FIFA World Cup 2010 : FIFA Opening Ceremony 2010india-server.com - 1 hour ago The sky of Johannesburg was filled with the fireworks at the opening ceremony of the grand FIFA World Cup 2010. The grand opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2010 was attended by thousands of soccer fans who gathered at the Orlando Stadium in ... Shakira feels FIFA can create awareness about educationSify - 14 hours ago Pop singer Shakira, who recently visited a school in South Arrica to interact with the students, thinks that a grand-scale event like FIFA World Cup can bring attention to issues like education in the world. '(The World Cup is) a great opportunity to ... Mobile users turn desperateExpress Buzz - 2 hours ago It is raining 'Waka Waka' and 'Wavin' Flag' everywhere. That is, 'Waka Waka', the official song, and 'Wavin' Flag', the official anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. 'Waka Waka', the rocking number by Columbian singer Shakira, and 'Wavin' Flag' by K'naan ... Enthralling millions – the World CupThe Hindu - - Jun 7, 2010 The 2010 FIFA World Cup beginning June 11, will be the 19 th tournament in the series of premier international football. Breaking new ground, this tournament is to be hosted by an African nation. Another first in this World Cup is that it does not ... Shakira's moves "Waka Waka'd" the 50 000 crowd at the Fifa Kickoff ConcertNewsTime - 12 minutes ago By Sthembile Shelembe: The FIFA World Cup opening concert in Soweto on Thursday night was the perfect start to an action packed colourful soccer tournament. 50 000 people adorned in South African colours and carrying a vast majority of flags screamed ... | Timeline of articles Number of sources covering this story
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Attacking game expected in World Cup opener
Johannesburg: South Africa and Mexico are likely to go on the attack in the opening game of the World Cup on Friday, hopefully ending a run of cagey and often dour starts to the finals.
Against a backdrop of fevered enthusiasm and the deafening noise of vuvuzelas at Johannesburg's cavernous Soccer City, an entertaining tone for the tournament is likely to be set by two teams who are much better going forward than defending.
Impressive results and performances from both sides in their warm-up games suggest a capacity crowd of almost 90,000 could be treated to a memorable opening to the 64-match event.
South Africa are the third African side to play in a World Cup opener, the two previous matches ending in shock triumphs for Cameroon over Argentina in 1990 and Senegal against France in 2002.
A home win on Friday would not be as big a surprise, such has been the hosts' vast improvement in form, but it would still be a boost for South Africa and its tournament.
STRONG CONTENDERS
Disappointing form over the last few years threatened to put a damper on the 2010 World Cup, a concern even expressed by FIFA president Sepp Blatter who openly criticized Bafana Bafana's performances.
But a run of 12 unbeaten matches since November has turned the team from a potential embarrassment to strong outsiders.
"It is important that as the host country we go out to win all the games," said South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune. "We can go out there and upset these countries," he added also referring to Uruguay and France who make up Group A.
South Africa's improved results have not only galvanized the players and inspired new-found confidence but have also led to a massive outpouring of nationalistic sentiment.
South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira spoke again this week of the intimidatory effect he hoped the cacophony of an enthusiastic home support blowing plastic trumpets might have on their Mexican opponents.
"There is no doubt this can be our 12th man," he said.
CONFIDENT MEXICANS
But Mexico will be able to counter that with confidence built from a win over defending champions Italy in Brussels last week and good performances against England and the Netherlands in friendlies over the last few weeks.
"Our philosophy is to always make good use of the ball," forward Carlos Vela said on www.fifa.com. "With that in mind, I think that (coach) Javier Aguirre has called up the right kind of players: obnes who are quick and comfortable on the ball."
Mexico look vulnerable at the back and have squandered numerous chances but South Africa have been guilty of doing the same thing in their warm-up matches. Both sides are also familiar with the effects of playing at altitude.
Mexico striker Guillermo Franco has overcome injury to increase the attacking options available to coach Javier Aguirre. He could be partnered on Friday by Manchester United's new signing Javier Hernandez.
Their 31-year-old defender Rafael Marquez returned to training this week, leaving both sides at full strength.
Mexico have already played in four World Cup opening matches, the last of which was a goalless draw with the Soviet Union at home in 1970. They had lost the previous three, conceding 11 goals in the process.
Source: Reuters| Schedule | |||||||||||||||||
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FIFA World Ranking
| Ranking | Team | Points |
| 1 |  Brazil | 1611 |
| 2 |  Spain | 1565 |
| 3 |  Portugal | 1249 |
| 4 |  Netherlands | 1231 |
| 5 |  Italy | 1184 |
| 6 |  Germany | 1082 |
| 7 |  Argentina | 1076 |
| 8 |  England | 1068 |
| 9 |  France | 1044 |
| 20 |  Australia | 886 |
2010 FIFA World Cup
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| 2010 FIFA World Cup | |||
| South Africa 2010 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 2010 FIFA World Cup official logo | |||
| Tournament details | |||
| Host country |  South Africa | ||
| Dates | 11 June – 11 July | ||
| Teams | 32 (from 6 confederations) | ||
| Venue(s) | 10 (in 9 host cities) | ||
| ← 2006 2014 → | |||
The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the 19th FIFA World Cup, the premier international football tournament. It is scheduled to take place between 11 June and 11 July 2010 in South Africa. The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the culmination of a qualification process that began in August 2007 and involved 204 of the 208 FIFA national teams. As such, it matches the 2008 Summer Olympics as the sports event with the most competing nations.
This will be the first time that the tournament has been hosted by an African nation, after South Africa defeated Morocco and Egypt in an all-African bidding process. This decision left the Oceania Football Confederation as the only confederation yet to host the FIFA World Cup. Italy are the defending champions, after winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. The draw for the finals took place on 4 December 2009 in Cape Town.
Contents[hide] |
Background
Host selection
Africa was chosen as the host for the 2010 World Cup as part of a policy to rotate the event among football confederations (which was later abandoned in October 2007). Five African nations placed bids to host the 2010 World Cup:
Egypt
Libya /
Tunisia (co-hosting)
Morocco
Following the decision of the FIFA Executive Committee not to allow co-hosted tournaments, Tunisia withdrew from the bidding process. The committee also decided not to consider Libya's solo bid as it no longer met all the stipulations laid down in the official List of Requirements.
After one round of voting, the winning bid was announced by FIFA president Sepp Blatter at a media conference on 15 May 2004 in Zürich. South Africa was awarded the rights to host the tournament, defeating Morocco and Egypt.[1]
| Voting Results | |
|---|---|
| Country | Votes |
| South Africa | 14 |
| Morocco | 10 |
| Egypt | 0 |
During 2006 and 2007, rumours circulated in various news sources that the 2010 World Cup could be moved to another country.[2][3] Some people, including Franz Beckenbauer, Horst R. Schmidt and, reportedly, some FIFA executives, expressed concern over the planning, organisation, and pace of South Africa's preparations.[2][4] However, FIFA officials repeatedly expressed their confidence in South Africa as host, stating that a contingency plan existed only to cover natural catastrophes, as had been in place at previous FIFA World Cups.[5]
Post-Apartheid era
The question was asked if this world cup could ease race relations in South Africa in light of the death of Eugene Terreblanche.[6][7] Commentators have abound in the impact on race relations from this world cup.[8] Parallels were made with the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which South Africa won at home.[9]
Qualification
As the host nation, South Africa qualified automatically for the tournament. Nonetheless South Africa participated in World Cup qualifiers because the CAF qualifiers also served as the qualifying tournament for the 2010 African Cup of Nations. They were the first host since 1934 to participate in preliminary qualifying. As happened in the previous tournament, the defending champions were not given an automatic berth, and Italy had to participate in qualification.
The qualification draw for the 2010 World Cup was held in Durban, South Africa, on 25 November 2007.
List of qualified teams
The following 32 teams qualified for the final tournament.
AFC (4) CAF (6)
| CONCACAF (3) CONMEBOL (5) OFC (1) | UEFA (13) |  |
This is the first World Cup that does not include any teams that are qualifying for the first time, although two of the qualifiers (Slovakia and Serbia) have previously appeared only as parts of former competing nations. Slovakia was previously part of Czechoslovakia, and Serbia has competed as part of Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro. In both cases FIFA considers these teams to have retained the earlier nations' records.
Controversy surrounded final qualification matches played between France and the Republic of Ireland, Costa Rica and Uruguay and Egypt and Algeria in November 2009.
 | Wikinews has related news: Ireland requests replay of FIFA World Cup play-off with France |
| Wikinews has related news: FIFA to make changes after Thierry Henry handball |
In the second leg of the play-off between France and the Republic of Ireland, French captain Thierry Henry, unseen by the referee, illegally handled the ball in the lead up to the winning goal, which saw France make the final 32 teams ahead of Ireland. The incident spurred widespread debate on how matches should be refereed at the highest level. FIFA rejected a request from the Football Association of Ireland to replay the match,[10] whilst a widely reported later request by Ireland to be included as an unprecedented 33rd World Cup entrant was later withdrawn.[11][12] Costa Rica complained over Uruguay's winning goal in the CONMEBOL–CONCACAF playoff,[13] whilst Egypt and Algeria's final match was surrounded by reports of crowd trouble.
In response to the incidents during qualification, and to a match fixing controversy, on 2 December 2009 FIFA called for an extraordinary general meeting of their Executive Committee. After the meeting, FIFA announced that they would be setting up an inquiry into technology and extra officials in the game, but they did not announce the widely-expected move of fast-tracking the introduction of goal-line referee's assistants, already being trialled in the Europa League, and instead restated that the competition in South Africa would be officiated as before, with just one referee, two assistants, and a fourth official.[14] On the subject of fair play, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said:
I appeal to all the players and coaches to observe this fair play. In 2010 we want to prove that football is more than just kicking a ball but has social and cultural value...So we ask the players 'please observe fair play' so they will be an example to the rest of the world.—FIFA President Sepp Blatter, [15]
Venues
In 2005, the organisers released a provisional list of twelve venues to be used for the World Cup: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg (two venues), Kimberley, Nelspruit, Orkney, Polokwane, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, and Rustenburg. This was narrowed down to ten venues[16] which were officially announced by FIFA on 17 March 2006:
| Johannesburg | Durban | Cape Town | Johannesburg | Pretoria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soccer City | Moses Mabhida Stadium
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