The countdown to the 2010 World Cup has gathered momentum now that it is less than 500 days to go. It seems like only yesterday when Sepp Blatter opened that envelope in Zurich, Switzerland announced : "The 2010 Fifa World Cup will be organised in South Africa."

The countdown to the 2010 World Cup has gathered momentum now that it is less than 500 days to go. It seems like only yesterday when Sepp Blatter opened that envelope in Zurich, Switzerland announced : "The 2010 Fifa World Cup will be organised in South Africa."

Doubts about the readiness of the infrastructure have decreased with time. Bar a few incidents of industrial action, each day brings stadiums closer to completion.

The real challenge though lies in the tendency of South Africans to want to do things at the last minute, which is also proving to afflict us with this World Cup.

According to the Local Organising Committee, the number of South Africans buying match tickets is far from satisfactory.

Some will argue that at R70 a match the tickets are priced out of reach of most fans, who are used to paying R20 a game. Given that many readily part with hundreds rands to watch their favourite visiting musicians, this is a lousy excuse.

The World Cup is a special event and the cost of the tickets, priced exclusively for South Africans, is a far cry from what it would ordinarily cost to watch these matches. So, pleasestop making excuses or postponing, and just go and buy that ticket. In 499 days from now, you will be glad you did.