SOUTH Africa owes much to humble 2010 local organising committee (LOC) chief executive Dr Danny Jordaan for the impeccable work he has done in bringing the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup to our shores.

More importantly, the LOC boss has done an applaudable job in ensuring that the road to next year’s global spectacle is a smooth one. Many people need to be congratulated and celebrated for their contribution, sacrifices and exceptional hard work in South Africa, but none more than Jordaan.

The World Cup, which Jordaan had a major hand in bringing to South Africa, will be the biggest event to ever hit our shores, and will remain so for a very long time to come. It seems like most people underestimate the magnitude of the World Cup, and the impact it will have on South Africa in 2010 and beyond.

The 2010 chief’s road to the top has been long and far from easy – from former football, rugby and cricket player who would travel to the Port Elizabeth townships in the boot of a car to go and play matches, to anti-apartheid sports activist, school teacher and small-time administrator before reaching the positions he currently holds.

The Port Elizabeth- born Jordaan is not only one of the country’s greatest administrators, but a world-class one at that who will benefit world sport as a whole in the years to come.

He is extremely passionate about sport, not only about high-profile football, but has a great endearment for grassroots level football. So proudly African is Jordaan that he has repeatedly expressed the importance of the World Cup in uniting the people of South Africa, as well as ensuring that it is understood that the tournament is not only for South Africans, but for Africa as a whole. His contribution has not gone unnoticed. He has been honoured with the Presidential Sports Award before as well as the Order of the South African State among many other awards for his role in the country’s sport, in particular football.

As a man who repeatedly “sells”, not only the country, but his home region Nelson Mandela Bay at every opportunity he gets (like he did during the visit of the Japanese national team to the city), the least people from his backyard could do is show some gratitude and honour the man who has done so much for them, without expecting anything in return.

The metro has one of the best soccer stadiums in the world and host next year’s World Cup. Would it not be fitting for the city to recognise one of their own by naming, at least one of the stands at the “Sunflower” after the man who was most responsible for the city having such a world-class venue.

Jordaan needs to be remembered for the extremely important role he has played over so many years. More so, in his home town.

NELSON Mandela Bay will be brimming with soccer fever this weekend, following the electrifying atmosphere that surrounded the Bafana Bafana-Japan match.

Premier League sides, title-chasing Santos and Kaizer Chiefs meet at the NMB Stadium tomorrow at 8pm, while Bay United host Ikapa Sporting FC at Westbourne Oval at 3.30pm on Saturday.