Summary: The terrifying attack on Togo’s football team in Angola has led people’s doubt to South Africa’s ability to hold the World Cup this summer. The organizing committees of the South Africa tournament tried to dismiss people’s apprehension by stressing the difference between their country and Angola. They state that besides the physical distance between the two countries, the money invested, the police and military force input shows the scale of their security operation, which ensures their confidence to confront any “eventuality”. They appeal that people should take care to compare their country with Angola. ISS researcher Johan Berger supports the appeal by considering their intelligence agencies and the unique political situation of Angola. Other remarkable differences between the two countries, such as the situation of separatist insurgency, foundations of economics and politics, and experience of holding international sporting events, are also spotted. Mr. Berger thinks that it is crime not terrorism that is the biggest problem of South Africa. If South Africa manages to confine the worst security incident in a few robberies, their organization will be considered a success.
Reflection: Personally speaking, I believe in South Africa’s ability to hold a safe World Cup, especially after reading this piece of news. South Africa officials have done well to prove that their country is a lot safer than Angola. By emphasizing their scale of security operation and adequate preparation for the event, they deserve people’s even specialists’ trust. From the chart which compares South Africa with Angola, I find that South Africa is quite stable in terms of economics, politics and society, while Angola is a small country still struggling with various kinds of problems. I do hope the South Africa World Cup will be a “football extravaganza” instead of a chance which terrorists take to “exploit for their gain”.
Reflection by Yuan Mengyi
Jan 16,2010
On my own point of view, I have the same expectation as Mengyi, that I do hope the South Africa World Cup will be a successful evan in the history of football. To be objective, I still have some concern with South Africa's ability to hold such a large-scale event. According to what we have known, South Africa is not as stable and safe as the prior hosts, such as Gemany, South Korea and Japan. However, from the above news, we known that this country has paid much effort to ensure a comfortable environment for participants. So, we should have the confidence to this country. Fighting, SA!!
回复删除----BY HOLLY
I felt sad when hearing this terrible news. After knowing some details about the attack, I think Togo' team is a victim of terrorism. The bus of Togo's team was attacked when it passed through an area that out of control by Angola Government. No one hated them, just because they passed through that area. What a pity. Firstly I also doubt the ability of South Africa to hold a safe World Cup next year because the policy in the whole Africa is unstable and another famous sports event, the Dakar Rally, had to cancel in the past 2 years. However, we must believe people in Africa. Most of them are kind-hearted, wisdom, enthusiastic and integrity. Also at that time, the security level in South Africa would be much better than now. At last, I hope all the players in the Africa Football Cup to get a good result and the survived Togo's player to fight in the field for their past teammates.
回复删除By Ryan(Dai Yan)
I felt sad when hearing this terrible news. After knowing some details about the attack, I think Togo' team is a victim of terrorism. The bus of Togo's team was attacked when it passed through an area that out of control by Angola Government. No one hated them, just because they passed through that area. What a pity. Firstly I also doubt the ability of South Africa to hold a safe World Cup next year because the policy in the whole Africa is unstable and another famous sports event, the Dakar Rally, had to cancel in the past 2 years. However, we must believe people in Africa. Most of them are kind-hearted, wisdom, enthusiastic and integrity. Also at that time, the security level in South Africa would be much better than now. At last, I hope all the players in the Africa Football Cup to get a good result and the survived Togo's player to fight in the field for their past teammates.
回复删除The attack on Togo’s football team is a warning to the South Africa, reminding it of putting enough police force to ensure the safety of all the players and the audience during World Cup. It is widely accepted that Africa is not quite a safe place where many countries are in the danger of terrorism. However, I agree that South Africa is better. It is rich enough and the officials are confident enough to hold a safe World Cup, despite the panic and doubt among other countries. The attack is only a small setback to South Africa, and I think they will work harder to improve the security and solve the problem.
回复删除By Joy(Zhang Ningxin)
I feel sorry to hear that. Togo's team was the victim of terrorism. Terrorism should not focus on sport teams or artists because they have nothing to do with politics. They have no conflict with local government or the terrorists. Every team which will participate the South Africa World Cup should pay more attention on security. The host, South Africa should guarantee all the players' security. Soccer teams have nothing to do with politics, so they should not be the target of terrorism. I hope that terrorism will be eliminated soon.
回复删除By Tom (Duan Juanyong)