Posted in News on Jul 25, 2007.
The show which has been aired in South Africa since 1993 got the backing of world governing body Fifa about two years ago, and continues to be one of the most informative football shows on television.
Currently on television sets in around 125 countries, the show which has become popular for covering unique football stories from all corners of the globe continues to go from strength to strength. Kaizerchiefs.com was able to sit down with Fifa Futbol Mundial producer Sep Cipriano, and got his views from a media perspective on the Vodacom Challenge and South Africa’s readiness for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
KC.COM: Explain to the Chiefs fans exactly what futbol Mundial is about and what were you doing South Africa?
Sep Cipriano: Futbol Mundial is a television programme currently backed by Fifa which airs in over 125 countries around the globe. What makes us unique to most other Football programmes is that we scour the globe looking for unique football stories.
We have a number of researches who keep their ears on the ground and find interesting and heart-warming soccer stories from all over the globe. So whether it is in Sierra Leone, in a refugee camp or in Mongolia, we like to get to all out-of-the-way places, and we like to hone in on stories that show the human side of the world of football.
KC.COM: Why is South Africa fortunate enough to have a visit from Fifa Futbol Mundial?
SP: Well because you do happen to be the host of the next Fifa World Cup in 2010, added to that we came here to interview Danny Jordaan as well as cover the tribute game which was played between and African XI and a World XI in Cape Town on the 17th July.
We have spent some time with you guys at Kaizer Chiefs in and around Durban and we spoke to the Tottenham Hotspurs players as well. We got a South African perspective from your players as the World Cup nears.
In addition we had time to speak to the Spurs players and got their feelings on South Africa and the treatment that they have been afforded while they have been out here, I must say that they have a had only positive things to say about South Africa.
KC.COM: As a member of the international press how have you found the facilities at the stadiums that you have visited, and the overall treatment of the media in the games that you have been to?
SP: We went to Newlands in Cape Town and the ABSA Stadium in Durban, both of which will not be used for Fifa World Cup; they are top notch facilities though. A number of things still need to be in place for both of them to be given the thumbs up.
I do feel that all the events that we have attended, people have generally been easy to deal with and we have not had any complaints, but you must remember these are small games compared to what comes with a Fifa World Cup, as you have to deal with thousands of journalists from around the world. I do think that South Africa will be able to deal with the world's press in 2010.
KC.COM: How have you found working with Kaizer Chiefs?
SP: Not to be biased or anything like that, I will say that I have found Chiefs to be very accommodating and receptive. I do think that there a number of the people working in the back ground at this club that could be an asset to the country in 2010 and should look at getting involved in some way with the Fifa World Cup.
The team have given us great access to the players and you have even gone out of your way to ensuring that the one on one interviews that we requested were conducted in a location that would be suitable for us.
I must say that I heard good things about Chiefs prior to coming here and everything has rung true, the only unfortunate thing is that we had to shoot Chiefs in Durban, maybe next time we can do some stuff with the team in Johannesburg.
KC.COM: Having interviewed many of the worlds leading football stars, player’s administrators and the likes. Which of the interviews that you have done as to rank as your personal favourite?
SP: It has to be an interview I did with Diego Maradonna in Japan during the 2002 Fifa World Cup. Being Italian by heritage, and a long time AS Napoli fan, meeting Maradonna was a really special occasion. It is the only time in my life as a journalist that I have ever asked someone that I was interviewing for an autograph, after all it is Diego Maradonna and I can be forgiven.
KC.COM: Thank you for your time Sep, hopefully we will see you at the Kaizer Chiefs Village in Johannesburg soon.
SP: The pleasure is all mine and I do look forward to coming back to South Africa again and like I said previously, I would like to spend more time with Kaizer Chiefs as well as visit your training ground and film some of your players at home.
