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Zuma: World Cup Investment Was Worth It

   VOA News 06 July 2010

Photo: AP

   South  African  President  Jacob Zuma, right, speaks as FIFA President
   Sepp Blatter looks on, during the official opening of the Football for
   Hope  Festival  2010  at  Alexander  township  in  Johannesburg, South
   Africa, Sunday July 4, 2010

   South  African  President  Jacob  Zuma says the country has made "good
   returns" on the estimated $4.2 billion it spent to host the World Cup.
   Speaking  to  a group of investors in Cape Town Tuesday, Mr. Zuma said
   the  building  of  stadiums  created 66,000 new construction jobs, and
   that   security   improvements  added  40,000  new,  permanent  police
   positions.
   He said hosting the tournament has also produced social benefits, such
   as  creating  unity  among  South Africans and improving the country's
   image as a tourist destination.
   Mr. Zuma said the government chose to bid for the World Cup because it
   "wanted to show that Africa could do it."
   This  is  the  first time any African nation has hosted the World Cup,
   one of the world's biggest sporting events.  The monthlong tournament
   ends on Sunday.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

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