Coaching Youth Soccer

On Friday the 11th of June 2010 the whole of africa will join the many soccer fans across the globe being the day when Africa gets to hold the prestigious FIFA World Cup. It’s been 80 years that FIFA World Cup host countries have revolved around Europe and the Americas. Exactly how is the venue for the cup decided upon?According to the revised selection policy, as long as the country’s continental confederaton hasn’t hosted the Cup in the past two years, the country would become eligable, this would make any African country a strong candidate. South Africa had a narrow loss against Germany in the 2006 bidding with 12 votes to 11 as the final tally. For the 2010 World Cup however, all countries that bid were African the top three being South Africa, Morocco and Egypt. South Africa won by four points to Morocco resulting in this unforgettable event. The reasons mentioned are all technical, but you might ask if the country has the ability to host such a huge event? Personally, I’d say “definitely”, these are my reasons:

* They’ve got a great team- that simple fact makes them deserving to have the great privilege of hosting the cup.If you’d ask me, having a World Cup in a country whose team isn’t even above average would be a disgrace. Even if  you look back, the soccer teams of countries hosting the cup are usually first class like Brazil (1950), Argentina(1978) and Italy(1990). If South Africa was added to the list, nobody would mind.

* You should see the stadiums- as part of their preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa has constructed four brand new mind-blowing stadiums.One has a detractable glass roof, another with spectacular lighting, then there’s the ‘zebra’ inspired stadium located nearby the many game parks, and finally one that resembles the South African flag. Is there anything else you could want?

* The perfect weather-  if there’s one thing South Africa is known for-aside from its wildlife, it would be the weather. The World Football Tournament will be held during South Africa’s winter season. Don’t worry, our favorite players won’t freeze to death, South Africa’s winter temperature at midday, is warmer than most countries daily summer temperature! The average temperature is predicted to be 20 degrees celsius at midday which is better for an athelet’s body compared to higher temperatures. Good weather means higher stamina and endurance..

* It’s in Africa- what could be a better place for the world to unite than in the very place that civilization is said to have begun?And the place where soccer is in the heart of every African?Soccer in South Africa has in the past been a cause for unification and a force for apartheid resistance during President Mandela’s era. The finals being held in Soweto which has been the center of South African soccer really adds meaning to the whole event making it not simply a sports event but a historical one.

In my opinion, no controversy in the past four years can change the  fact that South Africa is the best place for  the 2010 FIFA World Cup and everyone should be proud that for the first time in  history, Africa is holidng a sporting event this big.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is awaited by the entire world. After much deliberation, bidding and voting, South Africa came out as the location for the 2010 World Cup. South Africa and Mexico are the first in line on the 2010 soccer calender being the first teams to compete.Many speculate that it would certainly become possible for the final world cup winners football game to have an African country involved yet this is yet to be seen. Many may not have time to follow the whole tournament, so if you’re wondering what sort of world-class stadiums our favorite teams will be doing their soccer tricks. For four years now, South Afica has been building new awesome stadiums just for this tournament. The most stunning are listed below so take a look all you ‘soccerholics’:

*Moses Mabhida Stadium- constructed on the site of the former Kings Park Soccer Stadium, this teflon-coated, glass-fibre roofed stadium was officially opened on November 2009.

Capacity: 70,000 Location: Durban Design: constructed to resemble the South African Flag. Has an arche with a highest point being 347 ft signifies the unity that now exists from a once devided country. The roof produces a translucent glow when lit.
* Green Point Stadium- will  hold the first six round matches, one second-round, one quarter and one semifinal match.The original stadium was demolished and reconstruced in 2007.

Capacity:70,000 Location: Cape Town  Design:has sound proof material and is situated very near the ocean and has beautiful mountains in the background. Has an amazing retractable glass roof weighing about 4,500 tons.

* Mbombela Stadium- derived from “Mbombela” which is the  siSwati word for  “many people together in a small space.” Capacity: 40,000 Location:Nelspruit Design:  a very ‘wild’ looking stadium which gets inspiration from the many surrounding national parks. * Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium-not to be confused with the former president Mandela but the Nelson mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. Will be hosting five first round matches, one second round, one quarter final and the third place playoff.

Capacity: 50 000 Location:Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth Design: resembles a ‘sunflower’ with the roof made up a series of white petals. Is overlooking the North End Lake making it a one in a million stadium.

* Soccer City Stadium- the main venue for the tournament holding both the opening and final World Cup games.A very historical stadium and also the largest in Africa.

Capacity:94,500 Location: Johannesburg Design: resembles and African pot or “calabash” and has spectacular lighting in the night.

With all these stadiums, this year is surely to be a Cup to remember. Doesn’t it just makes you want to book the next flight straight to the heart of Africa?