The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Joe Mcgluwa, the ID Spokesperson for Sport, says the Independent Democrats ‘is extremely concerned about the slow pace of ticket sales for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

‘It is becoming clear that it is going to be difficult to sell as many Soccer World Cup tickets as we would have liked to and this is mostly not through our own doing,' Mcgluwa says.

‘We are hosting a Soccer World Cup probably near the end of a global economic recession and this means that during the months leading up to the event, people around the world will have ever shrinking budgets.'

Mcgluwa pointed to reports that countries like Brazil were not showing enough enthusiasm, based on the low rates of ticket sales in the country.

‘Desperate times call for desperate measures and we in the Independent Democrats believe we need to improve the partnership between the 2010 Soccer World Cup organizers, government, the transport and tourism industries and other important stakeholders,' Mcgluwa says.

‘It is imperative that all stakeholders, including SAA and other airlines, hotels, bus and shuttle services, etc., begin to work together to ensure affordable and easy access to our country.

‘The South African Football Association (Safa) should also consider deploying more African former soccer greats to assist South Africa in marketing the World Cup globally,' says Mcgluwa.

The ID MP says he plans to ‘raise my concerns' with Butana Komphela, the Chairperson of the Sports and Recreation Portfolio Committee in Parliament, as well as the rest of the committee, ‘so that we can find a way forward in this regard.'