The people's bid

Ineed not repeat the benefits of hosting the FIFA World Cup -- economic buoyancy, job creation, infrastructure improvement -- all of which will contribute to raising Egypt's profile. What I want to stress, rather, is the excitement of the prospect, which brings to mind several telling episodes of the last few months -- first-hand experience that demonstrates remarkable determination and incredible passion.

First comes the correspondence. The number of e-mails and faxes arriving from Egyptians living abroad in support of the bid is beyond belief. People not only express their excitement, they mail in newspaper cuttings from the local press and other relevant material. They make elaborate suggestions about what should and should not be done. Seven young Egyptians living in different countries have even designed and launched the bid's first unofficial Web site. Others visit the official site on a daily basis.

Next come the NGOs, many of which have provided wonderful support. One NGO, for example, funded the design and publication of a calendar of children's drawings in support of the bid.

University and school students are equally supportive, offering their time and the skills they possess unconditionally. The sight of 300 special-need children rallying in support of the bid on 9 December was unforgettable. Nor is "the man on the street" any exception. I was in Mansoura two weeks ago, and every other person I passed asked how they might be of use to the bid -- something that occurs in every city or town I visit. My colleagues at the bid committee are asked the same question on a daily basis.

And that is not to mention the help offered by the business community, with numerous leading companies providing support. Egyptians in senior positions at multinational companies in Egypt and abroad are also exerting wonderful efforts to get the support of their companies. It was moving to receive a phone call from a senior business figure saying that he owed everything to this country, and asking what he could do to help. What is interesting is that such people have taken the initiative to contact us and are not asking for publicity in return for the support they are offering.

Talented young professionals in publishing, graphic design, marketing and advertising have put in long hours of voluntary work in support of the bid. Leading law firms have been serving as legal consultants since April 2003 -- free of charge. One senior banker heads the team of financial consultants who are drawing up the financial plan -- again on a voluntary basis. And no one ever requests any kind of publicity. Sport clubs, the television and the press, both Arabic and foreign-language, are all contributing their share. So are actors, singers, diplomats and politicians.

Our sponsors and suppliers have played a fundamental role since day one, working closely with the committee to produce a harmoniously orchestrated and ultimately successful campaign.

As a political scientist, I would like to write about this in some detail one day. While some claim that Egyptians are no longer interested in national affairs, this bid has proven them wrong. The support, which gains momentum and focus every day, is phenomenal.

It's true that this country's greatest asset is its people, and I certainly promise that we will do our best not to let them down.