Bafana great Mark Fish joins Team BSABlog

As part of spreading the Football Friday fever, we got hold of former Bafana Bafana player who was very keen to write for us. Take a look at Mark Fish’s observations and memories on the growth of the World Cup fever.

I remember being at the Union Buildings counting down a 1000 days to the world cup, Manguang to count down 500 days and then Hong Kong counting down a 100 days to the first World Cup on African soil – in South Africa.

It wasn’t without pessimism, obstacles and challenges, but we have arrived at 83 days. I feel very fortunate as a World Cup Ambassador to have been to and seen all the stadiums completed. Oh, how I wish I could still be playing for Bafana Bafana.

Having travelled to Hong Kong, Senchzen and Guanchou, I’ve found the optimism and the excitement in the East very encouraging and a bit contagious. The rest of the world are as excited as us Africans about the 2010 World Cup. I was mobbed for autographs in Hong Kong, Senchzen and Guanchou not only because I played for Bafana Bafana. They also recognised me as a former player in the English Premiership.

Football is followed as much in the East as it is anywhere else in the world. Through the coaching clinics we held I saw as much talent there as in South Africa, with development being the key factor.

My objective was to invite all the people from Hong Kong, Senchen and Guanchou to come experience the best World Cup ever in South Africa. I found that – in doing so – the locals were very friendly and welcoming. That is what football does.

So in short – Rock On 2010! May we give the world everything they need and get everything we want.

Be there or be square.

Mark Fish