Jordaan, speaking at Soccerex in Dubai, says the defeat simply allowed South Africa more time to fine tune their bid – with hopes high of victory in the 2010 race.
Said Jordaan: “We have waited in Africa over 100 years to stage the World Cup and Asia, who like us had had it before, showed how well and enthusiastically it can be organised in continents outside Europe and South America.
“It significantly strengthens the argument that Africa will be able to put on a successful tournament. We owe a huge amount of gratitude to Asia.”
“If we allow setbacks and disappointments to deter us from moving forward and taking the initiative again, we will get nowhere. The spirit in our country is to get up and go again. I had no qualms about Germany winning last time because they had a very powerful bid.”
Meanwhile, despite FIFA president Sepp Blatter ruling out joint bids, Ali Ftaita of the Libyan bid committee said his country was hoping to share the event with Tunisia, having seen the example showed by Korea and Japan.
Other highlights at Soccerex included a presentation on how to increase revenue streams, with Real Madrid’s vice president Emilio Butragueno outlining the Spanish giant’s business model.
The opening day of the event saw Blatter deliver a keynote speech – and warned of worldwide sanctions for those clubs unable to meet financial obligations. He voiced particular concern over the number of clubs entering administration in a bid to solve debts and stay in business.
