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Archbishop Desmond Tutu Delighted With FIFA Presidential Award
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is proud to have won the Presidential Award and hailed South Africa for a successful World Cup...
Jan 10, 2011 7:45:00 PM
By Subhankar Mondal
Archbishop Desmond Tutu expressed his delight after receiving the prestigious FIFA Presidential Award on Monday evening.
Speaking to the press after the event, the Nobel Peace Prize winner made no effort to eclipse his joy at being recognised by football's world governing body.
"I’m staggered," began the 79-year-old. "When I was told, I felt deeply humbled and also deeply honoured. To be recognised in this way is very significant. I accept this on behalf of the South African people, who really deserve the applause for having hosted such a fantastic World Cup."
"You heard people complaining about how much it cost, for example the stadiums that we built. But how much would you pay for the kind of spirit that pervaded our country?
"It was a fantastic thing. No-one could have predicted that South Africans would feel so good about themselves. It was reminiscent of the time, when Nelson Mandela was released from prison or when we won the Rugby World Cup.
"You can’t put a monetary value on it. So many South Africans of so many different races walked tall with their heads held high. We were showing off our flags, and we even gave the world the Vuvuzela!"
He added, "It’s our pride in being South Africans. South Africans can walk tall. They know that they hosted the largest global sporting event, and they did it extraordinarily well. The sky is the limit."
Speaking to the press after the event, the Nobel Peace Prize winner made no effort to eclipse his joy at being recognised by football's world governing body.
"I’m staggered," began the 79-year-old. "When I was told, I felt deeply humbled and also deeply honoured. To be recognised in this way is very significant. I accept this on behalf of the South African people, who really deserve the applause for having hosted such a fantastic World Cup."
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"You heard people complaining about how much it cost, for example the stadiums that we built. But how much would you pay for the kind of spirit that pervaded our country?
"It was a fantastic thing. No-one could have predicted that South Africans would feel so good about themselves. It was reminiscent of the time, when Nelson Mandela was released from prison or when we won the Rugby World Cup.
"You can’t put a monetary value on it. So many South Africans of so many different races walked tall with their heads held high. We were showing off our flags, and we even gave the world the Vuvuzela!"
He added, "It’s our pride in being South Africans. South Africans can walk tall. They know that they hosted the largest global sporting event, and they did it extraordinarily well. The sky is the limit."
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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