Ke Nako. In Sotho, one of 11 recognized languages of South Africa, this means "It's time."

The largest sporting event - the month-long World Cup - South Africa begins on Friday. It will be a first for Africa, a continent of the Olympics have feared to tread.

And with nearly half a million visitors expected to games, this will be the biggest, loudest party and Africa's most colorful place I've ever had - even by the standards specific to the rainbow nation.

South Africa has invested 33 billion rand (about Rs. 20,000 rupees) in the infrastructure of the World Cup-related, according to local media. In what should be familiar to Delhiites, albeit on a much larger scale, the stadiums have been built new, refurbished and the old transport system that includes a high speed train and a new bus system for 19 million current rands (about Rs. 11 500 crore).

According to FIFA, world soccer body to tip the World Cup will add 55.7 billion rand (about Rs 33,800 crore) to the South African economy between 2006 and 2010.

Even India - where, for three years and 11 months between each World Cup, cricket is a religion intense, all consuming - it comes into football mode for the next four weeks. Like other 172 countries that did not qualify, we, as former England coach said in a different context, "sit down with a pint and enjoy."

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Posted in Labels: FIFA World's Cup 2010 Posted by VIDYA SHANKER PANDEY at 11:23 AM