The Legacy of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa

It is reported that the World Cup will cost a staggering $3.5billion. This includes the building of new stadiums and vast upgrades to the country’s transport infrastructure.
So why do countries battle to host such expensive events?
Firstly, the socio-economic benefits could be huge. According to consultancy firm Grant Thornton, the World Cup will inject around $2.8 billion into South Africa's economy, generating an estimated $1.7 billion in direct spending and create an estimated 159,000 new jobs.
The country's tourism industry will see unprecedented growth from an estimated 3 million visitors and in the long-term can significantly improve the perception of South Africa as a viable investment opportunity.
Secondly, billions of people will be looking to South Africa in an international audience unrivalled by any other sporting event.
Sport and Development initiatives in Southern Africa have flourished under this spotlight and although this article cannot provide an exhaustive list, it provides an overview of the initiatives already posted on the sportanddev Platform and that are harnessing the power of the World Cup to bring sustainable development to the region:
- SCORE is a non-profit organisation specialising in community development through sport and recreation. They are launching a special World Cup 2010 campaign
- The Football for Hope Festival 2010 will assemble 32 teams that represent the power of the game for social in Alexandra, Johannesburg.
- A group of Italians are driving a bus through the African continent, playing football and experiencing the World Cup fever on the way.
- Using football as a tool, YDF strives to overcome discrimination, improve health and combat disease, promote gender equality, fight violence and secure environmental sustainability.
- A Football for Development conference in Vienna brought together leading figures from the Sport and Development field to discuss sustaining the benefits of the World Cup.
- 3000 children under the age of 13 from the most impoverished neighbourhoods of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town will have the opportunity to get active, develop self esteem and gain knowledge to help them stay healthy for the rest of their lives.
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