Former Manchester United and England keeper Gary Bailey talks about South Africa hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup   Gary Bailey is today best known as the presenter of SuperSport's English Premier League TV coverage. He has worked as radio presenter on Talk Radio 702, was an ambassador for South Africa's bid for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and currently presents talks around the country under the banner of ‘Game Plan: 2010' in support of making the tournament the best World Cup ever. Bailey's soccer career as a goalkeeper started with Wits University team in the mid 1970s; by 1978 he had left for England where he starred in the net for Manchester United until the mid 1980s, making 294 appearances for the club and two for the English national team. Bailey won FA Cup medals with United in 1983 and 1985.

He returned to South Africa in the late 1980s, playing for Kaizer Chiefs from 1988 to 1990 before retiring from active participation in the sport.

Bailey remains one of South Africa 's most well-known football personalities and continues to be one the beautiful game's most ardent promoters and insightful analysts.

The League Football Magazine caught up with Gary Bailey at his 2010 presentation at the Westin Grand in Cape Town in March and quizzed him on the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The ‘Make 2010 Work for You!' breakfast event was hosted by Wesgro, the Western Cape investment and trade promotion agency, and sponsored by SkyMED!A. It attracted a number of business owners and private individuals keen on making the most of the tournament.

You mentioned recently that international perceptions of South Africa as regards the World Cup had changed over the last year. Can you elaborate on this?

A year ago, many newspapers, especially in the UK , were predicting that South Africa wouldn't have the stadiums built in time and that the event would be moved elsewhere. Now the stadiums are virtually ready – and looking stunning – and the tickets are selling, so there's no more negativity from abroad!

At the same time, there is still some degree of ‘Afro-pessimism'. What is the antidote to this?

The antidote is to host a well-run, fun and safe World Cup; then the view of Africa, and South Africa in particular, will change for the better.

What are the major challenges that still need to be addressed in South Africa as regards the World Cup?

Travel and promotion – but mostly safety. Travel in the sense that the number of visitors expected is between 10 and 20 times that of the Rugby World Cup in 1995, which was our biggest event to date. It is going to be very difficult to organise all these people, to get them through airports, onto buses, and to their accommodation, and do it all on time (within reason). Delays are likely here and there; but we must simply let the visitors know that we are a small country in comparison to Germany , and they must change their expectations regarding time, and instead enjoy our wonderful hospitality.

Promotion is about letting the country know what's going to be happening, and getting everyone excited and behind the event – not too much promotion has taken place so far.

And then onto the big one – safety. We have to ensure that all visitors are safe for the duration of the World Cup, and that the newspapers aren't given any ammunition to hurt us with – so policing, surveillance and general good safety management is a priority. If we can do it for four weeks, and then keep all the systems in place, making this a permanently safe South Africa – what a legacy that would be!

What will be the best thing to come out of the World Cup? For the general public? For foreign visitors? For business?

For the general public – the safety improvements, quality of football and the legacy projects.

For visitors – a fun, happy time in a beautiful country, a place where they can return as regular tourists.

For business – the chance to see tourism grow post-2010 (with all the obvious benefits) and to take advantage of the influx of tourists and their spending patterns e.g. food, drink, accommodation, retail, transport, tourism, etc.

How can we be great hosts?

Get a good vibe going in the country in the build up to the World Cup – and that means getting everyone behind the event; have fun, help the visitors, make sure they are safe!

What will you be doing during the World Cup?

Watching! And meeting the visitors on behalf of corporate sponsors… and renting out my house!