Pretoria - In less than 24 days South Africa will host the first African World Cup which is not only expected to bring in tourists in their numbers but also create a lasting legacy.

Pretoria - In less than 24 days South Africa will host the first African World Cup which is not only expected to bring in tourists in their numbers but also create a lasting legacy.

Independent consulting and accounting firm Grant Thornton in April updated their projections about the number of people expected to visit the country over the course of the tournament to 373 000 which is down from 483 000. The firm adds that some of the 105 000 visitors to South Africa over the course of the month-long spectacle are expected not to hold tickets for the tournament.

However, Nedbank senior economist Nicky Weimar said the number was unlikely.

“Based on our estimates we are likely to have 150 000 to 250 000 people and this is likely to translate to between 0.2 and 0.5 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth dependent on how much people spend,” said Weimer.

Weimar said the country should not be too concerned about the numbers of people coming into the country for the tournament.

“Even if we don’t get the numbers or the numbers are lower, the World Cup will leave an important legacy for instance it brought infrastructure spending which is underway that is essential for the long term growth rate. Secondly it will grow tourism in structural bounds giving our country exposure. It will put our country on the map and will continue to boost tourism for years going into the future,” she said.

Weimar said though data showed that consumer spending was constrained, it could change over the course of the World Cup. “The World Cup will lift the mood although people will remain cautious about their spending,” she added.

Africa’s first World Cup is going to kick-off on 11 June to much excitement among South Africans with the International Marketing Council (IMC) running several marketing campaigns that are aimed at building national pride and unity.

Among some of these campaigns is the Fly the Flag Campaign, Football Fridays and the People’s Bus.

“These initiatives are being very well received and we are increasingly seeing cars, homes and offices draped in the national flag,” the IMC’s Communications Manager Kalay Maistry told BuaNews.

The People’s Bus, which floor resembles a football pitch, has foosball tables, World Cup trivia and a mini cinema showing highlights of past matches, is taking the excitement of the upcoming tournament to people across the country.

Asked about the mood ahead of kick-off abroad Maistry said: “Internationally football fans are extremely excited and are really looking forward to the kick-off of the world’s largest football spectacle.”

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (SACCI) chief executive officer Neren Rau said indications of actual arrivals will be lower than originally projected with supporting evidence identified in the number of rooms booked.

“A number of infrastructure projects for example roads will not be completed in time for the World Cup. It is anticipated that the remaining days would be spent on “tidy up” operations as these projects are postponed until after the world cup.

The soccer spectacle is expected to inject about R55 billion into the economy as well as create approximately 415 400 jobs.

“The real benefits will emanate from profiling on a global scale which will generate long term spin-offs. The projections have helped boost confidence and expectations domestically.

“These improvements in infrastructure not only bode well for the World Cup but also in terms of long term benefits for South Africa. Infrastructure development will definitely provide a stronger platform for future economic growth than if South Africa was not hosting the event,” said Rau.

Tourism minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk recently said during his Budget Vote that the local tourism industry outperformed world trends in 2009, with a growth of 3.6 percent in foreign arrivals with a total of more than 9.9 million foreign arrivals to the country compared to about 9.6 million in 2008. This increase represented a 7.4 percent contribution to GDP.

Government has actively worked towards the upgrade of the country’s infrastructure that includes a R19 billion transport upgrade for among others refurbished airports and a new terminal at OR Tambo International Airport. – BuaNews

Thompson appointed England's new World Cup 2018 bid chairman

(CNN) -- Geoff Thompson has been appointed chairman of England's 2018 World Cup bid as the Football Association (FA) embark on a damage limitation exercise in the wake of David Triesman's resignation.

Triesman was forced to step down from the post after an undercover taped conversation came to light in which he alleged that Spain and Russia were planning to bribe referees at this year's World Cup in South Africa. He also resigned as chairman of the Football Association.

FIFA have now confirmed they have sent a letter to the FA asking them to prepare a report on the matter for their Ethics Committee.

The Mail on Sunday newspaper reported the conversation that led to Triesman's departure just 48 hours after he had been part of the England delegation that handed their official 2018 bid document over to FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

The paper claimed Triesman suggested that Spain may withdraw its bid to stage the 2018 finals if Russia -- which also wants to host the tournament -- helps it bribe referees in next month's World Cup.

The FA were quick to distance themselves from Triesman's comments and appointed Thompson on Sunday evening.

A statement on their official Web site read: "Following the unanimous approval of the Football Association Board, Geoff Thompson has been confirmed as the new Chairman of England 2018.

"Thompson, who is a Vice President on both the FIFA and UEFA Executive Committees is England's most senior international football administrator."

Of the taped conversation Triesman said in a statement: "The views expressed were not the views of the 2018 Bid board or the FA. A private conversation with someone whom I thought to be a friend was taped without my knowledge and passed to a national newspaper.

"In that conversation, I commentated on speculation circulating about conspiracies around the world. Those comments were never intended to be taken seriously as indeed is the case with many private conversations."

Russian officials decried the "totally absurd" allegations. "We are always playing a fair game, following the FIFA ethical rules," Alexei Sorokin, general director of the Russian Football Union told Sport-Express, Russia's leading online sports news agency.

"This is not the first attempt at compromising us. But only a strong competition is feared, which means that our bid is being taken very seriously. We will pursue our chosen path and will continue our fair competition for the 2018 World Cup bid."

Germany set to lose Michael Ballack from World Cup squad

Bad news for Germany if the speculation is true as inspirational leader Michael Ballack looks set to miss the World Cup next month after leaving the pitch early on Saturday.

The German captain took a knock to his ankle from Portsmouth midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng and left Wembley limping and in a protective boot. Scans this morning are apparently not good and all things now point to the German FA confirming he won't be representing his country this summer.

England head out to Austria for altitude training

Twenty four members of the 30 man England squad for the World Cup next month flew out to Austria today for some altitude training. The ones that stayed at home were the five involved in the FA Cup final at the weekend plus Gareth Barry who is getting daily treatment for his ankle injury.

England will be staying in a very traditional ski resort close to the small town of Irdning in the district of Liezen in Styria to get used to the higher altitude that will be a factor when in South Africa.