South Africa is showing the way

South Africa was the place to be last week. The cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town hosted "the who is who" in football. Two things happened in the host nation of the World Cup 2010,

Soccerex expo and the World Cup draws.

Soccerex is a forum that specialises in bringing the world of football together. It comprises conferences, exhibitions, networking events, happy hours and gala dinner. So it's a combination of business and pleasure. Its agenda focuses on FIFA and other global federations, World Cup issues (bidding, hosting and infrastructure), global football issues and business opportunities in South Africa and beyond.

Soccerex exhibition

It's the world's biggest football business event and it enables you meet football's global decision makers - FIFA, government officials, National Federations and host cities. It gives you a chance to network with footballing elites, key players including ex-footballers and coaches that are responsible for developing the industry.

This edition of soccerex was well attended especially as the World Cup draw was in the same week and just an hour's flight from Johannesburg. There were also a couple of Nigerians in attendance.

Other top personalities present were former Nigeria coach to the 1998 World Cup, Bora Milutinovic, Andy Cole, Gerard Houllier, Phil Thompson, and Lucas Radebe were all there. There was a one to one with Franz Beckenbauer, and a lecture by Glen Hoddle titled "right to dream Academy".

2018 and 2022 World Cup bids

Nations that are bidding to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup were represented to boost their chances.

I was particularly impressed with the organisation of the Qatar team, who are bidding for the 2022 World Cup.

The closing ceremony was sponsored by the England 2018 bid. Andy Anson, the head of their bid admitted that "it is a tough race for 2018, but given their fantastic infrastructure, fantastic technical bid and commercials, and more importantly the fact that they have a compelling story that people all over the world have a passion for English football."

Lucas Radebe also gave his support to England and said much about the passion for the English Premier League. He said "he hopes that England win the bid and maybe Eland Road where he used to play for Leeds United will be one of the stadiums for the World Cup."

Andy Anson believes that the presence of David Beckham and Fabio Capello in South Africa will help England's bid. He wished SA 2010 every success and he promised to be back with thousands of Britons to support the first World Cup on African soil. If you are part of the football industry, soccerex should be part of your plans.

Next stop for me was Cape Town, the very beautiful city where the draws of the 2010 World Cup took place.

I was privileged to have stayed at the Westin Grand Hotel which is linked to the Cape Town convention centre, the venue of the draws. For two days prior to the draws, I watched the preparations with a lot of anxiety. The arrival of VIPs and the paparazzi doing what they do best. I loved every moment of my stay in Cape Town.

The draws

The Friday of the draws must have been the best day of my life. It started with a meeting with David Beckham, one of my sports idols whose level of commitment to both club and country cannot be rivalled. Still a true Manchester United fan, Becks has a great personality and humility is definitely one of his strengths.

The ceremony which started at 6.30pm local time was indeed a red carpet event, it was star studded. Award winning actress Charlize Theron unveiled the official Jabilani football approved by FIFA for the 2010 World Cup. The South African born Hollywood actress gave a nice speech about the game of football and how she would never have missed the event for anything else; she also urged everyone present to be at the World Cup.

Everything was perfect. The ambience in the hall, the equipment, and security were commendable. The performances were out of this world, there was not one boring moment. They also had headsets for non-English speaking guests. The reception after the ceremony was another bunch of excitement and an avenue to socialise and discuss the draws. It was attended by dignitaries including Jay-Jay Okocha, up to the number one man in football, Sepp Blatter.

The 32 qualified Nations were divided into four pots which made me wonder how Ireland thought they will fit in as a 33rd Nation.

Once again, Nigeria was drawn against Argentina and something tells me that this time around, Nigeria will beat Argentina.

Everyone seems to be talking "about the group of death", personally, I see Cote d'ivoire going through at the expense of Portugal.

Sad conclusion

All in all, it was an emotional night for me, a wonderful experience with mixed feelings. One of pride and sadness; pride, as a citizen of the black continent and seeing that an African nation can host an event of such a magnitude. Sadness - that even though Nigeria is referred to as "the giant of Africa", I don't see Nigeria being able to do the same anytime soon. We are not just ready to take on the responsibility of hosting the world.

Seeing all the construction and preparations going on in South Africa, you don't want to be anywhere else from June 11 to July 11, 2010.

Well done South Africa, well done!!!!!!!!