Spain wins 2010 FIFA World Cup

12/07/2010

South Africa bids farewell today to the world’s most watched sporting event and to the excitement that has enveloped the country for the last 8 weeks, the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM. Sunday 11 July saw the closing ceremony, which featured a greeting by Nelson Mandela, as well as performances by Shakira and other performers. The final soccer match of the tournament, where Brazil and the Netherlands battled for the golden FIFA World Cup trophy, was the first between two uncrowned teams since 1978. Spain won the final game 1-0.

The South African soccer team scored three goals in this World Cup, all within the opening group stages of the games. Ghana was the most successful African team, who proudly represented their continent until they were defeated by Uruguay in the quarter finals by one goal. See more on Ghana’s 2010 experience here.

One goal was also scored during the tournament for Planet Earth: ICLEI has supported the Green Goal initiative, which was undertaken by all host cities in South Africa for the World Cup games. It began as the environmental concept for the FIFA 2006 World Cup^TM held in Germany, in an effort to minimise waste, energy expenditure and carbon emissions created by all preparations, procedures and tourist influx.

See Johannesburg’s Green Goal news here.

You can view the latest Green Goal report for Cape Town here.

See Durban’s Green Goal efforts here.

Nelson Mandela Bay’s Green Goal information is available here.

Tshwane’s Green Goal efforts here.

Indalo Yethu, the independent trust of the South African Government’s Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, has partnered with media’s alive2green by launching the website Greening2010.co.za and created an associated newsletter. The website focuses on the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup^TM and sustainability of infrastructure development, employment, regional and economic investment and the efficient use of resources. Follow the link to read more about 2010 sustainability.

Nike set a good example by creating its official team jerseys with recycled plastic bottles, which were worn by players (Brazil, The Netherlands, Portugal, USA, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Serbia, and Slovenia) and fans. This prevented nearly 254 000kg of polyester waste from entering landfills.

About 50 000 sustainable jobs were created by the World Cup event (www.dispatch.co.za), while an estimated 10 million tourists visited South Africa during the year of 2010 (http://english.peopledaily.com). South Africans have been optimistic about the legacy that the event will leave for their country, hoping that citizens will harness the opportunity that 2010 presented, including the sustainability of most of the preparations and improvements to various host cities. Infrastructure enhancements; especially the improved public transport systems in numerous cities, began years before the event and will serve the public into the distant future.