WC preparation on track

Organisers of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa denied Wednesday that preparations were behind schedule, insisting they had made more progress than previous hosts Germany at a similar stage.

"Comparatively, we are ahead of where Germany was at this stage," local organising committee chief executive Danny Jordaan told a press conference.

"We are on track, well ahead of plans based on a timeframe set by us and FIFA. We are comfortable when we say we are on schedule."

FIFA president Sepp Blatter voiced concerns last month that construction and renovation of the 10 stadia due to stage matches had still to begin in earnest, saying he had "yet to see the pickaxes and spades needed to start the work".

But Jordaan said the Soccer City stadium complex in Johannesburg's Soweto township, the venue for the final and opening ceremony of the tournament, was on course to be completed in 30 months' time.

"We do keep in touch on a daily basis with members of FIFA World Cup organising committee and give them monthly reports, and if there is anything wrong, they will know.

"It is therefore impossible that we can say things that FIFA does not know. They are confident and are happy with the progress we made so far," added Jordaan.

While construction of the Soccer City stadium itself has yet to begin, offices for FIFA within the complex are nearing completion.

Chairman of the organising committee, Irvin Khoza, said he was confident that stadia construction will start "early January or February".

"Our timeframe is realistic and come 2008, some of the stadia will be ready for the Confederation Cup to be hosted in the country," he told the press conference in Johannesburg.