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South Africa's iconic former President Nelson Mandela, 91, may attend the FIFA World Cup final at Soccer City, Johannesburg on Sunday night, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Thursday.
And if Mandela is there at the end of the match he will be given the honor of presenting the World Cup trophy to the winner.
"If he comes and stays to the end (of the final) then it is possible he will present the trophy," Blatter told a press briefing in Johannesburg.
Mandela, who will be 92 on July 18, rarely makes public appearances, and when he does they are usually brief.
Sunday's match between Spain and the Netherlands kicks off at 8.30 p.m. and the weather is expected to be cold. It would be highly unusual for him to attend the whole match and the handing over ceremony under such conditions.
However, Blatter said it is a possibility.
"We all know the reason why Madiba (Mandela's clan name) could not attend the opening ceremony also at Soccer City, due to sad bereavement in his family. But we hope he can attend the final. Presenting the trophy would be a fitting honor for South Africa and Africa as Mandela was one of the driving lights to bring the World Cup to South Africa," he said.
Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for anti-apartheid activities, was South Africa's first democratically elected president from 1994-1999.
At Thursday's briefing FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said over 1 million tourists visited South Africa in June.
"At least a third of those came to watch the World Cup," he said, according to the South African Press Association (SAPA).
Irvin Khoza, chairman of South Africa's FIFA 2010 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) said the number of tourists had far exceeded expectations.
Blatter praised way the tournament had been organized. "We have had 62 of the 64 games so far and the tournament has been a great success. Both South Africa and Africa can be proud of their achievements by successfully staging this wonderful event."
Referring to the new stadiums built and those renovated for the matches, Blatter said: "There is not one single country in Europe that has such world class stadiums as South Africa. The stadiums are jewels. They are superbly built and every fan inside has a good view of the action on the pitch."
According to SAPA, Blatter supported the idea that South Africa could hosting the Olympic Games in 2024.
"If a country can host the World Cup they can host the Summer Olympics. I will tell the IOC (International Olympic Committee) that South Africa is ready to host the Summer Olympics."
South Africa's iconic former President Nelson Mandela, 91, may attend the FIFA World Cup final at Soccer City, Johannesburg on Sunday night, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Thursday.
And if Mandela is there at the end of the match he will be given the honor of presenting the World Cup trophy to the winner.
"If he comes and stays to the end (of the final) then it is possible he will present the trophy," Blatter told a press briefing in Johannesburg.
Mandela, who will be 92 on July 18, rarely makes public appearances, and when he does they are usually brief.
Sunday's match between Spain and the Netherlands kicks off at 8.30 p.m. and the weather is expected to be cold. It would be highly unusual for him to attend the whole match and the handing over ceremony under such conditions.
However, Blatter said it is a possibility.
"We all know the reason why Madiba (Mandela's clan name) could not attend the opening ceremony also at Soccer City, due to sad bereavement in his family. But we hope he can attend the final. Presenting the trophy would be a fitting honor for South Africa and Africa as Mandela was one of the driving lights to bring the World Cup to South Africa," he said.
Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for anti-apartheid activities, was South Africa's first democratically elected president from 1994-1999.
At Thursday's briefing FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said over 1 million tourists visited South Africa in June.
"At least a third of those came to watch the World Cup," he said, according to the South African Press Association (SAPA).
Irvin Khoza, chairman of South Africa's FIFA 2010 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) said the number of tourists had far exceeded expectations.
Blatter praised way the tournament had been organized. "We have had 62 of the 64 games so far and the tournament has been a great success. Both South Africa and Africa can be proud of their achievements by successfully staging this wonderful event."
Referring to the new stadiums built and those renovated for the matches, Blatter said: "There is not one single country in Europe that has such world class stadiums as South Africa. The stadiums are jewels. They are superbly built and every fan inside has a good view of the action on the pitch."
According to SAPA, Blatter supported the idea that South Africa could hosting the Olympic Games in 2024.
"If a country can host the World Cup they can host the Summer Olympics. I will tell the IOC (International Olympic Committee) that South Africa is ready to host the Summer Olympics."
