The economic crisis currently gripping the globe will only have a "limited impact" on plans for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, it has been claimed this week.
Danny Jordaan, president of the tournament's local organising committee, admitted that stadium construction costs have soared by ten per cent due to increased steel and concrete prices and volatile exchange rates.
However, he has moved to allay fears that the country will be severely hampered in its attempts to complete preparations for hosting football's showpiece event.
He said: "These increases were calculated some while ago and all costs are now frozen. There will therefore not be an impact on our stadium budget.
"No one in the world can say they are not affected by the world economic crisis but its impact should be less on our country."
Jordaan did add, however, that he is concerned by the possible long-term consequences of the current financial turmoil and expressed his hope that the problems will be solved quickly.
The South African national team will be participating in their first World Cup since 2002.
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9 September 2010
9 September 2010
8 September 2010
8 September 2010
8 September 2010
