South Africa to archive World Cup materials

(From William Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent, Durban, South Africa, courtesy ECOWAS)

Durban, Nov. 7, GNA - South Africa; host of the 2010 World Cup have taken steps to archive all materials and other related paraphernalia from the competition for future use and to boost sports tourism in the country.

The items, which will include close to 6,000 hours of video footage, 20, 000 pictures and souvenirs among others will be kept in a special museum that will be constructed by the South Africa Football Association (SAFA).

Rich Mkhondo, Chief Communications Officer of the 2010 World Cup Organising Committee, South Africa, disclosed this at the 5th Africa International Media Summit in Durban, South Africa, whilst speaking on the topic "the impact of the 2010 World Cup on the image of Africa" in Durban, South Africa.

He said that the initiative will be implemented by the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) and it forms part of efforts to protect the legacies of the global football competition. Mkhondo said the World Cup has left South Africa and Africa as a whole with huge legacies, which must be adequately protected for the future and also serve as platform to promote the image of the continent.

The Chief Communications Ofsicer also indicated that it is expected that the museum will further strengthen and sustain the bond of unity that was witnessed by the continent during the competition. "In Europe and other advanced countries it is still possible to have the videos and pictures of matches played even in the early 60's and there is the need for us to follow the same pattern". He noted. Mkhondo said the 2010 World Cup has created a new and positive image for the continent after earlier doubts over the ability of the continent to host it.

"Prior to the event, many Europeans had doubts over the ability of South Africa and Africa as a whole to host the event and regrettably published several damaging stories to that effect". Mkhondo said the legacies of the 2010 World Cup must be jealously guarded because the event showed to the world what the Africa continent was capable of doing despite doubts from the western world "But the level of organization and the success of the event have since changed their mentality about the continent". He noted. Mkhondo, however, added that there is also the need for individuals to take up the role of investing in the game by setting up more soccer academies to produce quality players for the various national teams. He praised Ghana for adopting an effective youth development policy leading to the emergence of quality players each year and insisted that the private sector should be part of the project by building soccer schools to produce quality players. 07 Nov. 10