World Cup can boost African renaissance

From Mail & Guardian Online

South Africans may be basking in the joy of hosting the 2010 World Cup, but we should not forget that this is a time for the whole continent to rejoice. The event provides all of Africa with the chance to open the eyes of the world to our rich potential -- that which will perhaps be the most important legacy of what has been described as "Africa's World Cup".

Indeed, it is hoped that the money generated, exposure given and awareness created from the tournament will provide a major boost to the beautiful game from Cape Town to Cairo.

We have seen some of the benefits at the recent African Union heads of state summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, when the Confederation of African Football (CAF), celebrating its 50th year, launched 2007 as the International Year of African Football -- a move backed by Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who was in attendance.

The idea is that national associations from around the continent get involved in football-related events in the build-up to 2010, and in doing so raise their profile in their own confederation, as well as in Fifa.

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