"All budgets for the event were submitted and approved by Fifa last year," said Jordaan on Saturday.

"In April Fifa approved the appointment of the directors and the LOC is now up and running. Germany only formed their LOC in 2002, just four years before the 2006 event.

"Between Fifa and the LOC, we are currently in the process of locating and setting up offices locally, which is also proceeding on schedule. We are also working with Fifa on the finalisation of the LOC management organogram."

Certain legislation - the 2010 World Cup Special Measures Act and the 2010 World Cup Financial Measures Act - needs to be passed before December 15 and according to Jordaan, it is currently being drafted.

"We are also in discussion with the South African Revenue Service to confirm the tax status of the LOC," said Jordaan.

He added that he was confident that the stadium completion target of June 2008 was realistic, considering that many of the stadiums already boasted world class facilities.

"The stadium alterations for Ellis Park, Newlands and Kings Park need to be undertaken at a later date as they are mainly technical upgrades and with the speed of technology we can only carry these out closer to the event.

"At the moment the LOC is in the compliance phase of the project."

According to Jordaan, in order to deliver a world class World Cup, four key pillars need to be in place.

# World class mega event competencies and delivery
# A stable and sound local football association
# World class competitive teams in all age groups
# Social upliftment across all key communities

"South Africa is fortunate to have hosted both the rugby and cricket world cups, so the competency and delivery of world class events already exists in many areas. This has also helped with the current stadium infrastructure."

From the January 1 this year, the preparatory committee of Irvin Khoza as chairman, Tokyo Sexwale, Selwyn Nathan and Jordaan, as well as the interim LOC, have worked continually in conjunction with the South African Football Association (Safa) to put all the pillars in place.

"The initial audit of all of the potential host cities has already been completed by the Development Bank and is now being verified by the LOC. This report provides detailed analysis of both the technical and socio-economic infrastructure of the potential venues.

"A visiting Fifa delegation is expected in July this year, to review the reports and visit the venues themselves," said Jordaan.

"This is the African World Cup and we must do our continent proud."

Source: IOL.co.za