“John, are you ok?”

January 29 – 2007

I’ve been fairly consistent in my approach to South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 World Cup: I make jokes at the country’s expense, but sincerely hope and expect they will host a successful competition. That changed, this weekend, on the basis of the following BBC report.

The rising cost to South Africa of hosting the World Cup is beginning to take its toll on government spending.

A new 200-bed hospital in De Aar is to be delayed – so is another in Upington.

A spokeswoman for the Northern Cape health department, Shelley Fielding, said money had been diverted to prepare for 2010.

“The hospital building programme will resume in 2008/9 financial year. Other provinces are also affected,” Ms Fielding said.

Initially, showering South Africa with support and optimism seemed like the right thing to do. The World Cup bid was presented as confirmation of Africa’s arrival as a civilized, footballing continent, and only the most cynical of fans wouldn’t grant at least tacit approval. But when hospitals start getting shelved to put extra seating in the north end of Royal Bafokeng, well…

The time may be here for everyone to rethink their support for the South African World Cup effort. The truth is this: a country that diverts funding from fundamental healthcare in order to stage a sporting event shouldn’t have gotten the bid in the first place. And while Sepp Blatter sticks to his “show must go on” routine, failure to recognize the warning signs could lead to real problems for South Africa down the road, let alone the Cup itself.

As our old friend shows us below: sometimes you really should just “stay down.” South Africa seems like it’s starting to stumble badly, and I sincerely hope FIFA knows when to say when. Because trying to get back on your feet when everyone knows you’re in trouble will only lead to flailing of nunchaku and risk of further injury.