• How France succeeded in 1998 World Cup and the spin-offs remained as the legacy so that even South Africa would be able to identify and learn from.
• Role-played by government and private sector towards preparations.
• Effective legislation and kind of security that could prevent and provide the safety at stadium and widespread of the games.
• The benefits/gains experienced by the community after the event.
• Effective method used to mobilize local community support and buy-in.

1. Mr. B M Komphela ANC (Chairperson and leader of delegation)
2. Mr. M M Dikgacwi (ANC)
3. Mr. C T Frolick (ANC)
4. Ms D M Morobi (ANC)
5. Mr. T D Lee (DA)
6. Mr. B W Dhlamini (IFP)
7. Rev M S Khumalo (ACDP)
8. Mr. R B Bhoola (MF)
9. Ms N Mbuqe (Committee Secretary)

4. STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT

1. What type of incentives is given to federations and clubs?
2. What happens if there is no development after money has been given for assistance?
3. How does government make sure that Lotto fund is allocated?

1. The state is involved three years in advance in organizing events especially the international ones.
2. The second main reason of deficit is the TV broadcasting rights especially because those unpopular sport codes and national leagues not associations manage them.
3. The ministry has a good relationship with federations and every federation is bound by legislation so even the wealthy clubs abide by the rules.

The Ministry thought that in 2002 youth should belong to Education but changed in 2004 after noticing that 55% of all clubs consist of youth so the Ministry that changed the department to Ministry of Youth, sport and voluntary clubs. The Budget is €497m Euros including the Lotto funds and the allocation is as follows:

1. €290 m is for promotion of sport of 15 million for mass participation
2. €126m is for elite sport with 6 000 people
3. €54 m – for education and training of civil servants e.g. managers
4. €27m – for prevention and protection of athletes i.e. antidoping

Young people could identify themselves with the players that were very encouraging after the event. Social and ethnic values were encouraged and people were more united after the games. The most interesting and encouraging thing was to see the flag lifted even by those coming from the poor areas and the tone was high when France won the Cup.

The schools were also involved with national operations of exhibitions on the question of the World Cup. They had stamps exhibiting football and other things. All schools made preparations with drawings on challenges about the event. The delegation was notified that during preparations for the event was not for money but for the people and schools to have an idea about the event. During interaction the delegation noticed that the tickets given to France were only for the organizing committee and big screens were available for young kids and poor communities who could not afford tickets. There was strong mobilization from schools that took place six months before the event to shift the focus on ticket prices and that worked very well.

Spin offs continues and small villages still have money from the event. Benefits would be for all and if there were deficit then it would be left for the state.

Mr. Jacques Lambert, the director-general of the French Football Federation and the president, Mr. Escalettes presented on how their football structures are formulated. Mr. Lambert further briefed the delegation on intensive training course developed that has been recognized as one of the best. French programme and is not automatically transferable to other countries but have to think of how to reinforce training in other countries that are interested.

The delegation had questions and concerns after being briefed such as:

1. Is the management of football association able to make football successful or is there any problem experienced with coaches. What problems are there when calling national players? Is national team popularized as being the national asset?
2. What are key challenges as far as infrastructures; level of interaction and legislation expected from FIFA? In the operations of the World Cup what were possible pitfalls/dangers to deal with the challenges/expectations? What were the real benefits?
3. Were there specific programmes to develop the current stars?

 

12.2 The response were as follows:

The president noted that there are problems in relation to players who are playing abroad. The country then identified with the national team that the national team is very important but it is not a problem for France players to come back for national games. Also playing abroad has made some of the players became stars because of the experience they acquire from outside the country. Jacques elaborated with more details on the preparations for 1998 event on technical, financial and market related issues. The three key challenges were:

1. Quality of stadiums
2. Professional organization of the national team
3. To make the event national interest

He mentioned lots of changes imposed by FIFA after 1998 on federations but it will differ with SA because FIFA has even imposed tougher conditions. Jacques advised the delegation that SA government and federations should remain firm with FIFA because the requirements from FIFA are increasing and SA must look at its own interest e.g. finances.

On security, France had difficulty in controlling the hooligans from the neighbouring countries. Specific provisions were made and there were minimal violence incidents.

The pitfall is financial risk and government should be very careful because most of benefits go to FIFA. The only benefit France gained was the image of the country.

There was no need for legislation. Regarding communication, it should be a joint venture with the federation, government and relevant role players. The sites need to be visited 18 months before to show the media the venues and how security operates and work together to showcase the good image of the country.

The delegation visited Stade De France the national stadium built during the event that invited lot of publicity and involvement of the community. Mr. Michel Poussau presented on the construction until the completion of the infrastructure. It’s a multipurpose stadium with 18 entrances, 3 levels of stand; 67 bars and foodstalls. The lowest level have 25 000 movable seats. France was chosen in 1992 to host 1998 16^th Soccer World Cup. The construction began on 30 April 1995 and finished in December 1997. There were 5 000 people employed.

Stade de France accommodates 2 500 journalists; security centre with 120 video cameras that can zoom in during suspicious acts. One exit evacuates 1000 people but for the whole stadium it takes 8 minutes to evacuate in 80 exits, gates open automatically by the security in cases of emergency.

Lattes Deon-Lichel noted that the major stadium is called Stade Toulouse owned by local authority in an island in the middle of the river. The major interest is that it is isolated for security reasons. The problem is that it cannot be easily accessed. Important games during the World Cup were organized and played there.

1. All actors participating were gathered i.e. state representatives; sport federations and local participants comprising authorities, district and regions.
2. First aid is done by police services and complimentary services are for marketing.
3. Only bus shuttles go to the venue because it was easy to manage buses better for traffic and security reasons.
4. The first meetings are gathered 18 months in advance to determine where the system is failing and be tested on small games like quarter finals.
5. The key point is to manage gathering of all participants to work together. The participation and integration of public transport is vital because the event depends on it.
6. Communication programme needs to train personnel well in advance and the drivers became the organizers of the event through certain training.
7. Seven years later they are still talking about the event and imagined their jobs as very important. The drivers now are doing their jobs with pride. They had dedicated lane on the road and itinerary was done well in advance and had to conform to it.

The roadblocks were conducted by traffic, national police, municipal and state officials in charge. The cars had special stickers for identification.

The delegation appreciated the hospitality and support given by the South African Embassy in France, specifically Mr. Matsebe, 3^rd Secretary on Bilateral Affairs in Paris. There were many other lessons learnt by the delegation that are stated on a detailed report to be discussed by the Committee and provincial counterparts.

1. Constant change of regulations by FIFA for the hosting country is a concern.
2. The issue of tight security and working relationship with other government departments is a dire need.
3. Preparations for the World Cup should be communicated through all the people of the country including disadvantaged communities for buy-in and ownership of the event. The event would focus mainly on bringing the country together.
4. The creativity of the youth and their involvement during construction of facilities should be one of the main focuses.
5. The country should look at building and training of a good team that would mean that a national academy would play a vital role.
6. Sport in France has a mission to get federations to develop sport with the assistance of local authorities.
7. Release of players to play for national team, a player is entitled to refuse when called by national team as long as it is not within the agreement or within the calendar of IRB.
8. Gambling and Lotto is contributing 5% taxation to sport.
9. Department of Education develops kids at school until they are ready for professional level and have already left high school.
10. Coverage of the game by big screens for poor communities and those who cannot afford tickets.

The Committee therefore recommends that:

• List of agreements signed by French Government and some municipalities in South Africa should be pursued by the Committee and to facilitate the implementation. The Committee would request full details of the agreements from Paris and would contact the municipalities involved.
• In order to monitor transformation by federations, the Committee recommends legislative framework for sport in South Africa.
• When the stadiums are announced by FIFA for hosting the event the Committee should oversee the adherence of safety standards and access control.
• The plan France had during the World Cup on youth development to involvement of children at school level should be embraced.
• Schools must be mobilized to support the 2010 World Cup campaign, which must include visits during construction.
• The Committee should engage the department to engage with Sport without Boundaries to South Africa.
• Proposal for partnership by European Business Women with South African women in business should be pursued.
• 5% tax in all gambling and lottery entities should be pursued in South Africa and be directed to Ministry of Sport for development of sport in the country.