It’s a challenge for an economic and financial broadsheet like the Financial Times when faced with an event like the World Cup. However, they have won praise for an excellent series of articles by the renowned football writer Simon Kuper. They have also been examining the economic background to the tournament and today they look at the legacy of stadiums built or refurbished for the competition.
It’s a challenge for an economic and financial broadsheet like the Financial Times when faced with an event like the World Cup. However, they have won praise for an excellent series of articles by the renowned football writer Simon Kuper. They have also been examining the economic background to the tournament and today they look at the legacy of stadiums built or refurbished for the competition.
It’s difficult to avoid the conclusion from the article that South Africa will be left with a legacy of splendid stadiums, the most stunning in Cape Town, which have cost a great deal of money but for which it will be hard to find an effective legacy use, at least without twisting some arms.
In an editorial, the FT points out that, contrary to many predictions, South Africa has provided a safe and efficiently run tournament. Tourism should enjoy a boost and foreign investors may take a second look at the country. The FT suggests that the country needs to continue its efforts to contain crime and to develop an efficient, cheap and safe mass transit system. The success of the World Cup will hopefully incentivise South Africa to tackle its problems with new energy.
For all the challenges about the stadiums, staging a major tournament can bring many benefits to a country and football can help to transform lives in a positive way.