World Cup in South Africa ?

[Winnipeg Fury]

If this can't be contained, one would have to question if FIFA would allow SA to host the World Cup. (Check out those HIV rates, what is that, 1 in 7?).

Combine that with their insane crime rate, and you have one truly wonderful country.

Expert: Killer TB strain, found in 28 South African hospitals, must have crossed borders

The Associated Press

Published: September 7, 2006

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa A killer strain of extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis has been found in at least 28 hospitals across South Africa and almost certainly has spilled across borders, a specialist said Thursday.

 The virtually untreatable super bug could jeopardize efforts to deal with the AIDS epidemic, according to experts from the U.N., the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 14 southern and central African nations convened to discuss how to combat the threat.

 Experts note that TB diagnostics haven't changed in 100 years and TB medication in 50 years, calling for better and faster methods. They blamed the antiquated methods on the fact that TB is largely a disease of the poor — often spread by overcrowding when an infected person sneezes or coughs and the airborne bacteria infect someone else.

 Last year the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development, a nonprofit organization, began tests on a new treatment that would half the time of treatment to two or three months, lowering the risks of developing resistant strains and expanding the number of patients receiving treatment.

 Currently, about 9 million new active cases of TB develop each year and about 2 million people die. Some 200 million more people will fall ill with TB by 2020 and 35 million will die, according to the alliance's projections.

 In South Africa, no one knows how many people are infected with the particularly virulent strain announced last week, Professor Willem Sturm told the conference, highlighting the dilemma facing already overburdened health workers.

 Victims in South Africa were "all over the place ... you can almost be sure there will be infection in Mozambique and even farther (abroad) because people travel, and quite some distance," Sturm told The Associated Press.

 The new extremely drug-resistant TB strain was discovered by rural doctor Tony Moll in eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, where it killed 52 of 53 HIV-positive patients within 16 days during a study carried out from January 2005 to March 2006.

 Sturm, a microbiologist at KwaZulu-Natal University's Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, said reports he had gathered from hospitals around the country this past week showed at least 28 hospitals had at least one patient with the new strain, but indicated others could be dying from it without ever being tested.

 The super bug is particularly dangerous for countries with high HIV rates that fuel a TB epidemic which in turn endangers uninfected people. Moll became suspicious he had a super bug on his hands when patients responded well to antiretroviral treatment, then suddenly died.

 "What's the point in investing hugely in ARV programs if patients die a few weeks later from extreme drug-resistant tuberculosis?" Dr. Paul Nunn, head of the U.N. World Health Organization's TB resistance program, said on the sidelines of the conference.

 South Africa's government estimates more than 5.5 million of the country's 44 million people are HIV-positive — second only to India — and more than 900 people die each day. At any given time, some 330,000 South Africans have TB and 6,000 have a multiple drug-resistant variant. Half the population is believed to have latent TB.

 Drug-resistance grows when people do not complete a grueling six-month regimen of medication that cures the disease. That's difficult in a country where most people are poor, where taking the medication on an empty stomach makes one ill, where one might have to walk half a day to the nearest health center, which might be out of medication, and where there is high illiteracy.

 Multiple drug-resistant TB does not respond to a "first line" of drugs that in South Africa cost about R400 to cure a patient, compared to R24,000 to cure multiple drug-resistant TB. Extremely drug-resistant strains do not respond to a "second line" of drugs.

 South Africa's Health Department said this week it was exploring the feasibility of importing two even more expensive drugs that might help. But Moll noted the new strain was so virulent that patients died even before doctors received the results of their tests.

 

[amacpher]

quote:Originally posted by Winnipeg Fury

If this can't be contained, one would have to question if FIFA would allow SA to host the World Cup. (Check out those HIV rates, what is that, 1 in 7?).

Combine that with their insane crime rate, and you have one truly wonderful country.

We had a thread on this before, but anyway...

HIV rates in S. Africa are very hard to estimate. But some estimates are as high as 25%. But like the crime-rate, its not a factor for people who wanna trek down there to watch World Cup matches.

And, yes, S. Africa is a beautiful & wonderful country (if you have money). I'm looking forward to going there for the next World Cup. You can stay in Winterpeg if you want...

[Daniel]

Someone at the CSA told me that FIFA will decide if they will move the World Cup by the end of December 2006.

[RJB]

quote:Originally posted by Daniel

Someone at the CSA told me that FIFA will decide if they will move the World Cup by the end of December 2006.

I've heard that too. I remember hearing shortly after the World Cup that FIFA has been given assurances that both Germany and the USA will be available to host the tournament if need be.

[Daniel]

Australia seems to have popped up in there.

[Daniel]

Australia seems to have popped up in there.

[amacpher]

quote:Originally posted by RJB

]

I've heard that too. I remember hearing shortly after the World Cup that FIFA has been given assurances that both Germany and the USA will be available to host the tournament if need be.

If the World Cup is held in either Germany or the USA, even in the case of an emergency, it would be a disgrace to the sport. Don't see why either should get the nod over England.

[SF]

Simply moving it would not be a disgrace - it was done for the 1986 tournament.

The reality is that only a very few countries could hold it on short notice - Germany and the USA among them becasue they have done godo jobs in recent history. And also are very modern countries with excellent infrastructure and stadia.

England would be a decent choice as well, but with the Olympic games in 2012, they might be stretched.

[KAS]

I hope South Africa does get the WC, but if they can't, then England would have a very easy time hosting it. The 2012 Games would not be an issue for a country like England who can have seperate organizers of great competence. I doubt there would be a 60,000 New Anfield (Stanley Park) by then, but 90,000 Wembley + 76,000 Old Trafford and 60,000 Emirates could handle the big games. Throw in a few others like Newcastle, an expanded Stamford Bridge, and probably Liverpool, Leeds, Aston Villa, and perhaps Reading or Nottingham for greater geographical diversity in the group stage, and you have more than enough capacity. The strong Footy culture, ease of transportation, and large immigrant communities, will guarantee sellouts.

The United States and Germany could certainly do it again, but to go back to either so soon would be controversial. It's been 40 years for England - the home of the game - and England was probably going to go for 2018 anyways, so it would be more acceptable. I would, however, support the United States getting it if FIFA gave them the automatic spot as host WITHOUT removing a spot from the rest of CONCACAF. Anything to help Canada eh?!

[amacpher]

quote:Originally posted by KAS

I hope South Africa does get the WC, but if they can't, then England would have a very easy time hosting it. The 2012 Games would not be an issue for a country like England who can have seperate organizers of great competence. I doubt there would be a 60,000 New Anfield (Stanley Park) by then, but 90,000 Wembley + 76,000 Old Trafford and 60,000 Emirates could handle the big games. Throw in a few others like Newcastle, an expanded Stamford Bridge, and probably Liverpool, Leeds, Aston Villa, and perhaps Reading or Nottingham for greater geographical diversity in the group stage, and you have more than enough capacity. The strong Footy culture, ease of transportation, and large immigrant communities, will guarantee sellouts.

Sheffield Wednesday also plays in a pretty large stadium. About 40,000 capacity. And Southampton could get a couple of matches as well (32,000).

Overall, England has several stadium that are superior to the Berlin Olympiastadion.

[Daniel]

I was thinking yesterday how absurd it was that 1994 only had one spot out of 23 open to CONCACAF teams!

[loyola]

1.25 spot in 1994. Canada finished second in CONCACAF and played Australia for the chance to play Argentina for the last spot.

[CanadianSoccerFan]

quote:Originally posted by KAS

I hope South Africa does get the WC, but if they can't, then England would have a very easy time hosting it. The 2012 Games would not be an issue for a country like England who can have seperate organizers of great competence. I doubt there would be a 60,000 New Anfield (Stanley Park) by then, but 90,000 Wembley + 76,000 Old Trafford and 60,000 Emirates could handle the big games. Throw in a few others like Newcastle, an expanded Stamford Bridge, and probably Liverpool, Leeds, Aston Villa, and perhaps Reading or Nottingham for greater geographical diversity in the group stage, and you have more than enough capacity. The strong Footy culture, ease of transportation, and large immigrant communities, will guarantee sellouts.

The United States and Germany could certainly do it again, but to go back to either so soon would be controversial. It's been 40 years for England - the home of the game - and England was probably going to go for 2018 anyways, so it would be more acceptable. I would, however, support the United States getting it if FIFA gave them the automatic spot as host WITHOUT removing a spot from the rest of CONCACAF. Anything to help Canada eh?!

Stamford Bridge is now a housing development

[KAS]

quote:Originally posted by amacpher

Sheffield Wednesday also plays in a pretty large stadium. About 40,000 capacity. And Southampton could get a couple of matches as well (32,000).

Yes, Hillsborough would be a good option that would be in competition with Nottingham Forest's and Leed's stadiums. They are all around the 40K mark (The minimum for even the group stages of the WC in my opinion) with great heritage and fan support. Southampton would help with geographical diversity, but would need an expansion plan (and quick!) as 32K wouldn't cut it for the WC when there are much bigger/better options out there.

[KAS]

quote:Originally posted by CanadianSoccerFan

Stamford Bridge is now a housing development

[?] [?] [?]

We are both talking about Chelsea's stadium right? Last I heard, they had rejected plans for a new stadium and will now try to expand it to its' maximum capacity (~55K).

Were you thinking of Arsenal's old home, Highbury? It is now being converted to flats with Arsenal comfortably inside the new 60K Emirates stadium.

[amacpher]

quote:Originally posted by KAS

Yes, Hillsborough would be a good option that would be in competition with Nottingham Forest's and Leed's stadiums. They are all around the 40K mark (The minimum for even the group stages of the WC in my opinion) with great heritage and fan support. Southampton would help with geographical diversity, but would need an expansion plan (and quick!) as 32K wouldn't cut it for the WC when there are much bigger/better options out there.

Coincidentally, a news-story just came-out regarding possible stadium-expansion plans for Reading : http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=380705&cc=5901

[CanadianSoccerFan]

quote:Originally posted by KAS

[?] [?] [?]

We are both talking about Chelsea's stadium right? Last I heard, they had rejected plans for a new stadium and will now try to expand it to its' maximum capacity (~55K).

Were you thinking of Arsenal's old home, Highbury? It is now being converted to flats with Arsenal comfortably inside the new 60K Emirates stadium.

haha my mistake. I got those two mixed up in the past

[jesse]

Only two stadiums can host games within the same city. So for London it would be Wembley and Emirates Stadium. City of Machester Stadium would also be good, it holds 48K or so. If England was to get it suddenly...

[Daniel]

Anfield (Goodison), Wembley, Emirates, Saint James's, Old Trafford (City of Manchester), Leeds, Villa Park, Hillsborough, Sunderland.

[RJB]

quote:Originally posted by Daniel

Anfield (Goodison), Wembley, Emirates, Saint James's, Old Trafford (City of Manchester), Leeds, Villa Park, Hillsborough, Sunderland.

The irony of giving taking the tournament away from South Africa because of their poor stadium development, and then giving the tournament to England with a likely final at Wembley would be too much for me.

I think it would be brutal to take the tournament away from South Africa. Why not just step in there and help them out? Whereas taking it away from Colombia was not a slap in the face of the continent (as they'd already hosted it and were a succesful footballing continent), Africa is the opposite. This tournament could be exactly what they need to take football to the next level (much like 2002 did for Korea/Japan).

[Alex]

The whole point is that this news about AIDS, high crime rates and the such are not new. They have been an issue in Africa for years. AIDS has been there since it was first found, and crime since South Africa became a Union in 1910. So why would FIFA have even given the tournament to the country in the first place if they were worried about these two issues? They arent going away.

[Grizzly]

It's 2010 South Africa: Fifa

4 October 2006

Fifa's top brass have scotched rumours that the 2010 World Cup could be taken away from South Africa, with Fifa general secretary Urs Linsi saying the body had no doubt that the country would overcome its "teething problems" in preparing for the event.

Linsi, in Johannesburg to attend a 2010 local organising committee board meeting, said on Tuesday that Fifa had "no doubts the 2010 World Cup will be played in South Africa.

"Wherever the World Cup has been played, the impact has been huge," The Star reported Lins as saying. "Now it's in Africa. It's your World Cup, our World Cup, and we are sure it will also have a huge impact and be a great success."

Referring to delays in starting construction of the country's World Cup stadiums, Lins said it was "natural to have these teething problems," adding: "They are there to be solved, and we see no reason why this cannot be done with a whole-hearted effort all-round."

Regarding the country's crime rate, Lins remarked: "In some respects it's a crazy world, and in Germany there was the challenge of the terrorist threat. Crime was also a challenge in Japan and Korea in 2002 and in France in 1998."

The Star quoted Lins as saying he was "confident South Africa's police will be prepared for 2010. They understand the challenges, and they're very well connected and work with people around the world to combat crime."

Stadium construction to start January

According to Business Day, local organising committee chairman Irvin Khoza told journalists at the media briefing that SA's deadline for starting construction of five new stadiums, and refurbishment of five more, was January 2007.

Khoza also said the job would cost R8.3-billion - three times more than the original estimates.

"We have secured permission to circumvent a great deal of the red tape normally in place before government funding takes place," Business Day quotes Khoza as saying. "With the new budget due to be ratified on October 24, we should be able to start construction early in the new year."

Beckenbauer apologises

Khoza also released a letter from German football great Franz Beckenbauer, in which the latter apologised for the confusion caused by his recent comments on South Africa's 2010 preparations.

Beckenbauer was quoted last month as saying that SA's preparations were fraught with problems. "But these are not SA problems, these are African problems. People are working against rather than with each other."

In his letter, addressed to local organising committee CEO Danny Jordaan, Beckenbauer said he was "very sorry that these statements were falsely portrayed, and I shall do everything in my power to support the World Cup in South Africa 2010."

Beckenbauer added that "[a]t no point did I mention that Germany could be a substitute organiser. On the contrary, it is my own and my colleagues' understanding that it is most important that the upcoming World Cup in South Africa is a success."

Transfer of know-how from Germany

Fifa's newly appointed consultant for the 2010 World Cup, Horst Schmidt, was also present at the press conference, and he made it clear that he is looking forward to the challenge.

The general secretary of Germany's football association, and one of the driving forces behind the success of Germany 2006, said that 2006 was his tenth World Cup, "and I can tell you the circumstances and the conditions of the World Cup have been completely different over the years."

While Urs Linsi, according to Fifa, "bears ultimate responsibility for the organisation of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa," Schmidt will spend seven days per month as the coordinator of Fifa's 2010 World Cup project, serving as Linsi's "extended arm" in South Africa and Zurich when it comes to the day-to-day management of preparations for the event.

Announcing Schmidt's appointment, Fifa said in a statement that in view of the "ever increasing demands of World Cup organisation, Fifa is making an increasingly intensive contribution to the process by guaranteeing the direct transfer of know-how from one host nation to the next."

Fifa has had permanent representation in South Africa since the start of 2006, and is due to move into its new offices in Safa House, the Johannesburg headquarters of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, at the end of October.