Posted by Sporting events can have a positive impact on the host country, Olli Kivinen writes in the daily Helsingin Sanomat, referring to the World Cup in South Africa:
“Within the space of 16 years the country has evolved from a dismal Apartheid state to a symbol of hope for Africa. Now it wants to use the democratic changes … for a tangible and sustainable rise in prosperity.
… Africa needs success stories, and in this endeavour football is really a side issue, although even just the host country’s success in organising the World Cup has triggered strong emotions all over Africa.
… Has the current World Cup given South Africa such a kick that it is finding the way to development in an ever more positive direction? Or are the sceptics right to argue that the billions the country has spent on organising the World Cup could have been better invested in resolving the [the country's] problems? Unfortunately, the impact of the World Cup is not really measurable. Nevertheless, it is clear that sensible social and economic policies are the key to success, in Africa as elsewhere. World Cup fever doesn’t change that.”
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