Former World Cup organising committee head Danny Jordaan has joined the FIFA World Cup inspection team. He accepted a commission from FIFA to join its inspection team to run the rule over prospective 2018 and 2022 World Cup venues in Australia, Japan, Russia, England, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Holland and the United States.
He leaves for Australia on Saturday and will be in and out of the country during the next couple of months while on FIFA business. When asked, however, if he had received an offer to join FIFA in a senior full-time capacity Jordaan stated "no comment". Jordaan and 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairperson, Irvin Khoza delivered what many foreign journalists said would be impossible, a successful World Cup finals, the first on African soil.
"I told you way back in 2004 that only God could stop us hosting the best World Cup ever. I am delighted with the smooth way the tournament was run both on and off the field. It was a tremendous advert for South Africa and Africa and shows that this continent can succeed in hosting the biggest sporting event in history. "This was a stunning achievement and one we as a nation can be rightly proud of."
Jordaan was also mum on his future in South Africa soccer administration. He was widely expected to return as CEO of the South African Football Association (SAFA) after the World Cup finals. Jordaan was seconded to the 2010 LOC when he and Khoza successfully won the bid to host the biggest soccer event ever in South Africa in 2004.
Jordaan added: "I have not make any firm decision on my future. I am delighted to be part of FIFA's inspection team looking over prospective World Cup candidates for 2018 and 2020 ." -Sapa
|