Brazil is calling! Don’t miss the World Cup and Copacabana beach !
On Wednesday last week, MOblog hosted an exclusive Q and A interview with the Brazilian Ambassador to Tanzania, Hon. Francisco Luz, ahead of the upcoming World Cup Tournament. Read On;
MOblog Tanzania’s Chief Editor, Damas Makangale in an exclusive interview with the Brazilian Ambassador to Tanzania, Hon Francisco Carlos Soares Luz at his office.
By Damas Makangale, MOblog Tanzania
MOblog: What was your initial reaction when you heard that Brazil will host the 2014 World Cup?
Ambassador Luz: I think like every Brazilian who is crazy about football, I was very excited with the news. At a time we knew that there was no competition since Columbia had retired its candidate so Brazil was standing alone. We knew [the World Cup] was supposed to happen in South America, so we are very happy and excited with the opportunity of hosting the world cup again after 64 years.
MOblog: Brazilians are going to the world cup with a squad of younger and very promising players compared to Spain, Germany and Argentina. To what extent do you think it will help the team to win the trophy?
Ambassador Luz: I think Scolari has done the right thing. He has mixed the team with young, talented players who are ready to present themselves to the world and become national heroes like Neymar da Silva Santos but he has included veterans; mature and experienced players.
MOblog: Do you think Brazil will benefit from a home advantage and go on to win their first World Cup since 2002?
Ambassador Luz: We have won the confederation cups and a home advantage will be a factor during the world cup finals. We believe that the home ground will make a difference to us.
MOblog: On a general note, do you prefer having 24 or 32 teams in the World Cup?
Ambassador Luz: I prefer having 32 teams because you have a real sense and taste of the World Cup because it involves all regions of the world.
MOblog: How confident are the Brazilian people and the media that Brazil will win?
Ambassador Luz: I believe the people are very confident after winning the confederation cup although it is not that easy. Some people are saying that winning the Confederation cup doesn’t guarantee that we will win the World Cup but the media is confident and they are ready to give accurate and balanced reports.
MOblog: Which cities in Brazil are the World cup matches being played in?
Ambassador Luz: The cities are Rio de Janeiro; where the final will be played at Maracana, Sao Paulo; where the first match will be held, Belo Horizonte, Salvador; Salvador where Africa meets Brazil. It a nice city and the food and music is really influenced by Africa. Other cities are Recife, Natal, Fortaleza, Manaus, Brasilia, Cuiaba, Curitiba and Porto Alegre.
MOblog: What do you think it will cost the average spectator to get to the World Cup and stay in Brazil?
Ambassador Luz: That depends on the fans. If you want see the initial matches, the cost is manageable but if you are planning to stay for the whole tournament, I think you need around 250 dollars a day including accommodation.
MOblog: As of this moment are there still hotels available if one wanted to go for the World Cup?
Ambassador Luz: FIFA selected some hotels for their families and delegates but there are still other hotels available but prices are very high especially in Rio. The government is trying to talk to the Association of Hoteliers to avoid over charges.
MOblog: What will the weather be like in Brazil during the World cup?
Ambassador Luz: During the world cup it will be winter to some parts of the country but the general weather will be nice and warm.
MOblog: Are there direct flights from Tanzania or Africa to Brazil?
Ambassador Luz: No, the best option is to go to South Africa; it is three hours to Johannesburg and nine hours to Brazil which is the shortest way.
MOblog: What are Brazil’s highlights and best tourist attractions for one to see whilst there?
Ambassador Luz: There are many wonderful tourist attractions in Brazil such as theaters, parks, Teatro Amazonas and the beautiful Salvador beaches but for Africans, I think they will enjoy Salvador the most. The music, the beaches and the food means they can feel at home. It is a really nice place and they sell African influenced food and like Bahia, Prawns and Beans which is delicious.
MOblog: The World Cup has sparked violence in the past. Have you taken any security measures in preparation?
Ambassador Luz: I don’t anticipate any violence or security problems because the government is fully prepared to tackle any violence or riots that may erupt during matches. This week all the security stakeholders, including the army, are going to have the meeting to finalise the security plans ahead of the tournament.
MOblog: Brazil has invested 9 billion dollars of taxpayer’s money into the World Cup, so what are the long term benefits that the hosting nation will get?
Ambassador Luz: Of course there are some infrastructure investments that will be accessible to the population long after the world cup. Stadiums such as Arena De Sao Paulo, Estadio Do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Estadio Do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro and Estadio Beira Rio, Porto Alegre all belong to private clubs which our National Development Bank (NDB) is financing for the tournament. Other investments have been made in the railway system, sub way system and we are upgrading the airports because we will have 200 new flights connecting the cities with Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia.
MOblog: What are the main economic impacts Brazilians are most likely to see after the World Cup tournament?
Ambassador Luz: The number of tourists arriving in Brazil will have an impact to the economy. There will be a lot of entertainment available during the matches. People will travel from one point to another and make the most of seeing Brazil. Tourist attractions will attract many people and bring good business such as Teatro Amazonas (Amazon theatre), rivers Negro and Solimoes and Natal City which is one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world.
MOblog: What do you think are the main areas of co-operation between Brazil and Tanzania which the two nations should focus on?
Ambassador Luz: We try to concentrate in agriculture and energy. Actually today I am receiving a group of researchers from the Agriculture Organization which co-ordinates the Brazilian agriculture policies and programs around the world. I am receiving the head of the organization from Africa to evaluate the five programs of agriculture in Tanzania. We also have project focusing on the health sector especially HIV/Aids. In the energy sector we have the Brazilian company PetroBras who are training Tanzanians in gas, oil and energy.
Some of the MOblog team in a group photo with the Brazilian ambassador to Tanzania.
