The 2010 FIFA World Cup, the World's largest most watched football extravaganza, a greatest sporting spectacle on earth which took place in South Africa, has ended. Never before has an African country afforded the opportunity to host such a prestigious sporting event, and show the world that the African nation has great infrastructure and stadiums, warm hospitality and enthusiastic colourful crowd. South Africa has now emerged as a superb destination for international sports and hosting the World Cup has enhanced its image in the international community manifold. Congratulations to South Africa and its wonderful people.

The noticeable feature of this World Cup was the uniformity of play and the bridging of the gap between the participating teams. In the end it was Spain that emerged victorious, winning the World Cup for the first time.

We hope that the enthusiasm generated by FIFA World Cup 2010 will remind Indian footballers and fans, the glorious days of the game when India finished fourth in the Olypics in 1956 and won the Asian Games in 1951 and 1962 and inspire them to popularize the game not in pockets such as Bengal, Goa and Kerela but all over the country.

In all FIFA World Cup 2010 will be remembered with great fondness as it gave ecstasy, agony, philopshy and above all the magic of football. 2010 FIFA World Cup has come and gone. Its effects will be no doubt be felt and seen for a long time. Although there are still big social chaleenges to address, the tournament showed how sport can make a positive contribution to a nation and a continent. We hope that Delhi will take the clue and draw inspiration in putting up a good show in organizing forthcoming CommonWealth Games.

Mrs. Nirmala Gupta