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FIFA and Development: the South African Football World Cup, 2010

Granting the 2010 FIFA World Cup to South Africa brought with it promises of increased […]
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Arnold WEHMHOERNER
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Policy Study

09/10/2014

Granting the 2010 FIFA World Cup to South Africa brought with it promises of increased employment and investment, tourism opportunities and social benefits for South Africans. It was heralded as a symbolic triumph for the sport in Africa which would help to overcome the oft negative images of “Afro-pessimism”. In this article, Arnold Wehmhoerner takes a closer look at the preparations for this mega-event, charting the business practices of FIFA and the decisions made regarding stadium facilities, local communities, merchandising and sponsorship deals. This emerges as a thought-provoking analysis of the relationship between sport and development.

An analysis by Arnold WEHMHOERNER, FEPS Correspondent in Southern Africa

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