Welcome to the world....
Yesterday I woke to the sound of vuvuzelas being blown. Driving to the supermarket, the road was lined with vendors peddling flags, in all sizes, of the participating nations. Blowing on their vuvuzela's to attract attention and to tempt potential customers into buying the flags. The atmosphere was electric as the nation waited in anticipation for the start of the greatest sporting event in the world, the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The stadium at Soccer City opened its gates at 10am, and by 12pm, each major city in the country was gridlocked as thousands of fans made their way to the stadium or to one of the many fan parks that dotted the country. A sea of yellow and green displaying their support for the nations team, Bafana Bafana, who would do battle with Mexico in South Africa's premier football stadium.
Just under 100 000 people gathered together at the stadium, while thousands more gathered at the fan parks and billions switched their tv's to bear witness to Africa's first FIFA World Cup. At 2pm, the opening ceremony, simple and elegant reflecting the colours and sounds of Africa as it welcomed a world to its hosting of this spectacular event.
The stadium, shaped like a calabash, is world class and it is hard to believe what we have managed to achieve in a short four years. The stadium is a work of art, and the pitch is immaculate, spread out like a green carpet in the middle of a sea of fans. A sea of yellow with patches of green where the Mexican fans have gathered. Eventually the teams take to the field, led in by youngsters holding a blue flag announcing the countries who will be meeting on the pitch. A message from FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and the President of South Africa to officially open the tournament. After greeting the players and the Match referees, the national anthems and the traditional toss of the coin to determine the direction of play. The whistle blows and the country erupts in jubilation.
The first half, both teams are overwhelmed by the atmosphere and the sheer magnitude of the task that faces them, but they do not disappoint. In the second half, having overcome their euphoria, Tshabalala breaks free and lands one in the net for South Africa. The nation erupts with jubilation as the first goal of the tournament is scored. This is followed by a goal in the 80th minute by Rafael Marquez. The match ends in a draw leaving a country proud of what it has achieved. As the final whistle blows we are filled with joy.
I have never been prouder of being a South African as I am now. We have done it, we are hosting the greatest event on the Sporting Calendar. And our nations team has risen to the occasion. Come join us as we celebrate over the next month, the hosting of the worlds best football players and teams the world has to offer in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We, the people of South Africa, are the champions of the world :-)
The stadium at Soccer City opened its gates at 10am, and by 12pm, each major city in the country was gridlocked as thousands of fans made their way to the stadium or to one of the many fan parks that dotted the country. A sea of yellow and green displaying their support for the nations team, Bafana Bafana, who would do battle with Mexico in South Africa's premier football stadium.
Just under 100 000 people gathered together at the stadium, while thousands more gathered at the fan parks and billions switched their tv's to bear witness to Africa's first FIFA World Cup. At 2pm, the opening ceremony, simple and elegant reflecting the colours and sounds of Africa as it welcomed a world to its hosting of this spectacular event.
The stadium, shaped like a calabash, is world class and it is hard to believe what we have managed to achieve in a short four years. The stadium is a work of art, and the pitch is immaculate, spread out like a green carpet in the middle of a sea of fans. A sea of yellow with patches of green where the Mexican fans have gathered. Eventually the teams take to the field, led in by youngsters holding a blue flag announcing the countries who will be meeting on the pitch. A message from FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and the President of South Africa to officially open the tournament. After greeting the players and the Match referees, the national anthems and the traditional toss of the coin to determine the direction of play. The whistle blows and the country erupts in jubilation.
The first half, both teams are overwhelmed by the atmosphere and the sheer magnitude of the task that faces them, but they do not disappoint. In the second half, having overcome their euphoria, Tshabalala breaks free and lands one in the net for South Africa. The nation erupts with jubilation as the first goal of the tournament is scored. This is followed by a goal in the 80th minute by Rafael Marquez. The match ends in a draw leaving a country proud of what it has achieved. As the final whistle blows we are filled with joy.
I have never been prouder of being a South African as I am now. We have done it, we are hosting the greatest event on the Sporting Calendar. And our nations team has risen to the occasion. Come join us as we celebrate over the next month, the hosting of the worlds best football players and teams the world has to offer in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We, the people of South Africa, are the champions of the world :-)
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