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Moleketi says 2010 World Cup on track

Pessimists who are doubting South Africa's ability to host the 2010 World Cup will have to "eat their own words" in 2009 when all preparations for the event would be completed, Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi said yesterday.

Pessimists who are doubting South Africa's ability to host the 2010 World Cup will have to "eat their own words" in 2009 when all preparations for the event would be completed, Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi said yesterday.

During an update on government's progress, Moleketi said some people had "targeted 2010" to reflect their negativity about South Africa and Africa.

Moleketi said government planned to fight the pessimism with regular updates, not only by itself but also by the private sector on the preparations for the tournament.

He gave a progress report on some of the 24 projects, including the building of new stadium and infrastructure, that had to be finalised for the successful hosting of the event.

Work on all the stadiums needed for the World Cup would be finished in October 2009, Moleketi said.

He said R1,9billion from next year's budget would be brought forward to October as the "tempo of construction" increased. - Sapa

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