Priscilla Mazenotti Reporter Agência Brasil

Brasília – Even before the final games of the World Cup, it is traditional for the next host country to lay out its plans and present the emblem of the next World Cup. So, yesterday, Thursday, June 9, with the South African World Cup final games to take place this weekend, president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in South Africa and presented the 2014 official emblem, which was designed by a Brazilian ad agency based on a photo of three hands holding the World Cup trophy (what it looks like are abstract yellow and green upstretched hands (or waves, maybe green palm trees) holding a soccer ball with 2014 written in red).
Then Lula told the world that the 2014 games in Brazil will place information regarding expenditures and contracts on the internet for all to see. And he added that the expectation was that spending on infrastructure would be fundamental in boosting development in the country.
“The preparations will be as transparent as possible. I have already signed two decrees. All government acts will be available on the internet, it will be possible for any citizen, anywhere in the world, to accompany what is being done in real time,” said the president.
“Our World Cup will be green. Green like our forests. Environmental sustainability is a priority in Brazil and it will be trademark of the event, which we see as a great opportunity to accelerate infrastructure growth for the world and the development of our Brazil,” said Lula, adding that a detailed blueprint laying out the necessary preparations for the games, involving federal and state governments, and the twelve cities that will host soccer games, has already been approved. 
In his speech, Lula heaped praise on the South African games. “There was force, joy, creativity and competence in the organization. We, Brazilians, are pleased with the extraordinary success of the African Cup,” declared Lula, adding that it will serve as an example for Brazil.
“We are a nation with a passion for sports and a passion for soccer. We are a nation passionately in love with life. We believe that although life is marvelous, it can always be better,” said Lula.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been in Africa for a week, visiting six countries (Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and, finally, South Africa). The original schedule was for Lula to end his trip by attending the World Cup final on Sunday, July 11 (it is normal for the leader of the country hosting the next World Cup to be there). But with Brazil’s unexpected loss to Holland and elimination, aides say Lula is no longer enthusiastic about seeing the game and may return to Brazil as early as Friday.
No matter what, the fact is that after the Sunday game, the World Cup soccer ball will cross the Atlantic to Brazil, “…where the Brazilian people will treat it will the same love and care that our players treat the soccer ball on the pitch,” said Lula.

Allen Bennett – translator/editor The News in English
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