It is the first time in the history of the soccer World Cup, which started in 1930, that the competition will be hosted by an African nation.

The official made the announcement after meeting in Cape Town with sports authorities of South Africa?s nine provinces, BUA News information service reports Wednesday.

Another five fields will be readied to be used for practices and friendly games between the teams attending the premier international sport event.

Rev. Stofile said the decision on which stadiums will be used as venues has not been taken yet.

BUA News recalls that for the World Cup jointly hosted in South Korea and Japan in 2002 as many as 30 stadiums were built or prepared for the event, while as few as 20 stadiums were eventually used.

Costs involved in upgrading or building stadiums would be shared between national government, the relevant provincial governments and the relevant host cities, while FIFA would also be expected to make a contribution, the minister said.

South Africa is meeting with representatives from the Southern Africa Development Community Supreme Council on Sport today to discuss the significance of the event for the region. The meeting is taking place in Cape Town.

A further meeting is planned for later in Livingstone, Zambia where the significance of the event to the African continent as a whole will be thrashed out, BUA News indicates.

Source: Prensa Latina