INFLUENTIAL German soccer boss Franz Beckenbauer has urged South Africa to bid for the 2020 Olympic Games

Beckenbauer, a former Fifa executive committee member, is in Durban  to attend the 123rd  International Olympic Committee Session.

“The Republic of South Africa is one of the best countries in the world, I was here last year during the Fifa World Cup and enjoyed myself.

“I strongly believe South Africa must bid for the Olympics, Durban is a wonderful city and could do well,” said  Beckenbauer.

Beckenbauer was one of the prominent world leaders who backed South Africa during the bid to host the 2010 World Cup.

Earlier on during the week, IOC president Jacques Rogge said he would be happy to receive a bid from Africa.

Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula said they were encouraged by the massive support from world leaders like  Beckenbauer.

“We are aware there is a government decision not to bid, the matter is closed but we engaging our colleagues in cabinet to review the whole issue.

“Let me start by saying when the decision not to go ahead with the bid was taken I could not attend the cabinet meeting because I was sick.

“We respect the decision of cabinet which is binding but the support we are getting all over the world is forcing us to relook into the matter.

“We have until September to decide whether we are in or not, the feeling from the sports fraternity is that government must review the matter.

“The Olympics are not like the Fifa World Cup, the International Olympic Committee is fully involved and they also invest money into the project,” said Mbalula.