Kaunda Backs SA World Cup Bid

LUSAKA, May 14 - South Africa should be supported in its bid to host the 2010 World Cup finals, first Zambia Republican president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda said yesterday.

In an interview, Dr. Kaunda said Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Libya should support and let South Africa host the World Cup in 2010 as one way to celebrate the hard won victory against apartheid.

"We in this region support South Africa to host the World Cup because it is well provided for and it has just come out of apartheid. Let our brothers in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Libya support South Africa," Dr. Kaunda said.

"That gesture is a way of supporting the victory that they have scored against the evil apartheid."

Dr. Kaunda said the game of soccer was a builder and hosting of the World Cup by South Africa would go a long way in building and constituting what Mandela fought for.

While Egypt, Libya and Tunisia are also bidding to host the championship, the race is close between Morocco and South Africa.

South Africa will meanwhile be sending a high-powered delegation to Zurich for the final push ahead of the Saturday voting.

Among those who will go to Switzerland for the final push are former South African president Nelson Mandela, South African President Thabo Mbeki, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and former South African president Frederick de Klerk.

FAZ technical director and vice-president Kalusha Bwalya will also join the world dignitaries in Zurich.

By Kaunda Mwale
Source: The Post / allAfrica Global Media