The president of FIFA Sepp Blatter paid homage to Nelson Mandela at the final press conference of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Sandton, Johannesburg on Monday.
“Through this man we opened the door to South Africa to re enter FIFA. Since my first contacts that I had with this man I could see that he had a dream. He had a dream at that time that once he would like to have the World Cup in his home country,” he said.
“You journalists always said, that I wanted the World Cup to go to Africa, but the dream was of this man. You will remember the famous moment in May 2004 in Zurich when the decision was made to award the World Cup 2010 to South Africa, and he took the trophy and he said now, a dream has come true. So he was the man that brought the World Cup to South Africa and when we started the World Cup he wanted to be at the opening but he couldn’t because of the tragic accident of his great granddaughter. But he wanted to be there to see that his dream has come true.”
“It is with this momentum that I will close this press conference and this World Cup 2010 from FIFA , to pay homage to this humanist and the humanity in this World Cup. He is the existing humanist and the most remarkable in the world and it is with his name that I close this press conference - Nelson Madiba Mandela,” he said.
Blatter said the World Cup had been a big success and gave it 9 out of 10 points. He thanked the South African government for the guarantee they gave and met, the Local Organising Committee, the security personnel, the thousands of volunteers and the wonderful hospitality given by the people of South Africa.
“This was something very great and I’d like to compliment South Africa for proving that they could organise a World Cup. As I said, it was a question of trust and confidence. We trusted South Africa and with our trust they got the confidence and they can be proud of what they have achieved,” he said.
“The benefits of this competition will go to South Africa and not to FIFA. When we see the repercussions that this will have around the world - also the fanfests and the new perception that people will have of Africa and its people, it will connect people and bring people together here in South Africa.”
Blatter also congratulated Spain on winning the World Cup and ‘demonstrating that one could win the World Cup by playing good football.’
The chairman of the LOC Irvin Khoza said that the World Cup was a dream come true.
“Today is a special day. 47 years ago on 11 July 1963, the Rivonia triallists were arrested and now today we are hosting the World Cup final. When I saw Archbishop Desmond Tutu dancing he said to me that his campaign was not in vain. To see Madiba on the pitch, that for me showed that his struggle was not in vain.”
“This World Cup has made a statement for South Africa. Never before in the history have we seen South Africans so united. South Africans of all colours were united in their support of their team and their country and this will live a long time in my memory,” he added.
The CEO of the LOC, Danny Jordaan thanked Blatter for his courage and commitment to making the dream come true.
“I would first of all like to thank the president of FIFA Sepp Blatter for making this dream come true. I want to thank him for his courage and commitment, his vision and support.
I’d also like to thank Irvin Khoza. We have walked this road together for many years and I am happy to reflect on the road we have travelled and what we have achieved in this time for our country.”
“Also thanks to the chairman of CAF Issa Hayatou and the chairman of the secretary general of FIFA Jerome Valcke for their support.
I found in Jerome Valcke a person that I could work with, who could share his vision. I must thank him for always being there and working with us and virtually living in the country and for making this a success.”
“This morning I am very proud to be African and South African. This event has also brought about new personalities in world football. One of these personalities is called the vuvuzela which has become a very popular topic of discussion. And then another personality is called Paul who I don’t know whether he is now more popular than the vuvuzela. And then of course we have our own personality Zakumi, but I think the biggest personality of all is Nelson Mandela who managed to be there at the closing ceremony.”