Cape Town - South African president Jacob Zuma and other high-ranking officials were presented the Confederations Cup trophy on Tuesday, five day ahead of the tournament. Jerome Valcke, secretary general of the ruling football body FIFA, and 2010 World Cup organizing committee chief Danny Jordaan presented the trophy at the National Assembly Chamber of the nation's parliament.
It is the first time in tournament history that the trophy has been paraded before legislators of a host country.
South Africa hosts the eight-team Confederations Cup June 14-28, the tournament also serving as a dress rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup in the country.
"I cannot ignore the fact that our country is abuzz with the forthcoming kick-off of the Confederations Cup. The visit of the trophy here today should inspire all of us to fill the stadiums," Zuma said.
"It is the first time in the history of our country that we will make football history and I am convinced that all South Africans will stand behind Bafana Bafana to make sure that now that we have been handed the Cup it will not leave again. Let us all go out and support the beautiful game," Zuma said.
Jordaan said the country was ready for the challenge after years of doubts elsewhere whether South Africa would be fit to stage the Confederations Cup and World Cup.
"We are ready, the teams are arriving with all their stars, we look forward to the kick-off on Sunday when a long dream comes true. We are ready, the infrastructure is there," he said.
