Mandela hoping

FORMER South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela was welcomed by FIFA President Joseph Blatter to the headquarters of world football's governing body in Zurich on Sunday.

"It is a historic occasion for us to welcome to FIFA a living legend of democracy and anti-discrimination, our dear friend Nelson Mandela," Blatter stated. "We have known each other for more than 10 years and have more than just football in common, such as our work for the good of the world's young people, for example."

South Africa is one of the five countries bidding to host the 2010 World Cup, together with Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Morocco. FIFA's decision will be made in May 2004.

"It would mean a great deal for us as we have been wanting it for so long," Mandela said at a press conference about South Africa staging FIFA's flagship event. "Any international match or event creates awareness and lifts the spirit of people." Citing the 1995 rugby World Cup as an example, he added: "That event united black and white people."