Mbeki, Blatter unearth new home of soccer

Sepp Blatter has praised the commitment shown by President Thabo Mbeki

President Thabo Mbeki and Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president, officially unearthed the new home of South African and African football at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg today. Safa House will be the headquarters of the 2010 FIFA World Cup local organising committee and also the temporary home of FIFA during the soccer showpiece which will be held in South Africa in five years time.

The building, which is set to cost FIFA between R50 million and R70 million is to be constructed from January and should be completed in July of 2006 with all the cost being incurred by FIFA.

"It is time to build this house upon which foundation lies trust and confidence from FIFA that South Africa will host a good world cup in 2010. It has been wonderful to see how football can unite people in this country and we want construction to start soon and for it to be completed quickly as well," Blatter said.

2010 preparations moving swiftly
Mbeki expressed his excitement in the fact that the 2010 World Cup preparations were moving swiftly. "I am pleased to see that we are moving on this matter. Soccer is very central to the people of this country," he said.

Irvin Khoza, the chairperson of the local organising committee, said they are proud that FIFA showed the extent of confidence in the country's ability to deliver a highly successful event in 2010.

Construction on the premises of South Africa's premier soccer venue will not hamper Premier League fixtures set to be played at the stadium in the following months.

FIFA delegation visits children's home
A FIFA delegation visited the SOS Children's Village in Thornton, Cape Town today. The visit forms part of the official charity campaign for the 2006 Soccer World Cup to be held in Germany.

Among the delegates were Blatter, Lucas Radebe, the ambassador for the SOS Villages, and Danny Jordaan, the head of the local organising committee for the 2010 World Cup.

The village accommodates over 120 children between the ages of two and 19, many of whom are avid soccer supporters. The children were entertained with music and clowns and each received a gift. - Additional reporting by Sapa