A possible partner
A romance between Egypt and Libya to host the 2010 World Cup may be premature. A final decision for a joint bid is far beyond the Egyptian Association's office at Gabalaya Street, reports Eric Asmougha
FIFA, the world football governing body, has assured Africa of hosting the 2010 World Cup. Since the happy news, which many have viewed as coming late, many African countries have joined the bidding race to win the continent's first World Cup.
Egypt, Libya, Nigeria, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia have all declared interest. And some appear to want to co-host following the example of Japan and South Korea in 2002. Nigeria plans to co-host with four West African states. Morocco and Tunisia have also announced a joint bid. Egypt, Libya and South Africa are yet to make any formal announcement on co- hosting with any interested nation.
"We are not in a position to take a final decision on presenting a joint bid with another country because there is more to it and quite a political decision," Mohamed El-Siagi, general secretary of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), said. "However, the fact is that Egypt has a good chance to host the World Cup and very much willing to go for it alone."
El-Siagi was speaking following Morocco and Tunisia's announcement of a joint bid.
"Secondly, we are not thinking of co- hosting yet. This simply means that we must focus our attention on meeting the requirements for the event and to get ourselves fully prepared to make a final presentation to FIFA in August," El-Siagi added.
He also noted that Egypt will not be the first to make the move to co-host, "but if any country brings such a proposal, we shall look into it."
While Egypt's main priority is aimed at upgrading all facilities for the football fiesta, some quarters in the EFA are not ruling out a joint bid with any country that may decide to come forward since it will boost the country's chances.
One of the outspoken people on a possible joint bid is Sahar El-Hawari, EFA board member and FIFA executive committee member.
"There is no doubt that Egypt has a good chance and one of the best because of its past and present impressive records in hosting events of such magnitude," El-Hawari said. "Nevertheless, we are now thinking of a joint bid after the cooperation seen by Tunisia and Morocco. In terms of proximity, we are thinking of Egypt and Libya as a choice. They share a common border and people move from one country to the other by road and by plane within less than an hour," said El-Hawari.
Pointing out that co-hosting the World Cup is a good thing for promoting football in Africa, El-Hawari said: "To have two countries at very close proximity, where communication and transportation are easily accessible such as Egypt and Libya, is a great idea and a very good example. And judging by this, Egypt and Libya stand a better chance than Morocco and Tunisia because they have Algeria in between."
The bidding nations have received an updated list of requirements and have until 30 April this year to formally confirm their bids. By 31 August 2003, those confirmed will present their bid to FIFA. The governing body will then inspect each country and report to the executive committee by April 2004. The committee is to make its final decision a month later.
