Dr Irvin Khoza Chairman 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa Allow me, on behalf of all South Africans, to extend heartfelt congratulations to Sepp Blatter on his recent unopposed re-election as FIFA President. As he commences his third term in office, it is worth noting that his reign coincides with South Africa’s World Cup endeavours and aspirations; in 1998 he was first elected FIFA President in Paris while we were taking part in our first ever World Cup on French soil and in this year we also announced our intention to bid for the World Cup in 2006. For the past nine years his unstinting support and enthusiasm for the cause of football in Africa has been an inspiration to us all and in particular, we in South Africa, are immensely grateful to be afforded the opportunity to realise our World Cup dream over the coming years under his guidance and leadership. This is the first Report to be presented to the FIFA Bureau by the Organising Committee. Since the beginning of this year impressive and substantial progress has been made on a number of fronts, most notably in stadia construction, and I invite you to bear witness to our ongoing work.