Government still firmly behind Safa bid to host Women’s World Cup

The South African Football Association’s (Safa) bid to host the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup has received a stamp of approval from government.

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That’s according to the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa.

South Africa formally expressed its interest in bringing the 10th edition of the women’s global showpiece earlier this year and have until December 8 to submit their full bid.

Fifa will conduct a site inspection in February next year before announcing the host nation at their 74th congress on May 17.

“We’re (still) behind the bid and I think there are prospects that the (women’s) world cup could come for the first time on the African continent,” Kodwa said.

“We hope and pray because we’re people of faith that there will be a second coming of the 2010 (men’s) world cup as well.

“It would be remiss of me on behalf of the people of South Africa if I don’t raise our aspirations and that we do have faith that there will be a second coming of 2010.”

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Safa’s bid to host the World Cup will be up against Brazil, joint bids by the US and Mexico, and another one comprising of the trio in the form of Belgium, Netherlands and Germany.

“Put aside the performance of the national team but if we’re to master the (art of) hosting of big sporting tournaments,” Kodwa added.

“It will be a big contribution to the economy, it creates opportunities and jobs. That’s in itself will be an incentives to the clubs to do better then they see other countries come to our shores. For me it’s about one, the economy of sport in hosting big tournaments which I have seen in Paris.”