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Govt applauds all who made Confeds Cup a success |
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Tuesday, 30 June 2009 19:24 |
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By Proffesor Ndawonde
Pretoria - Government has congratulated all those who played a role in making the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup a resounding success.
"Government congratulates the 2010 FIFA Organising Committee and the broader FIFA family, all the teams that took part in the tournament, the volunteers, service providers, officials and the fans for contributing towards the success of the tournament," government said in a statement on Tuesday.
It also praised the people of South Africa who showcased their hospitality and spirit of ubuntu to international visitors.
"We also congratulate the football fans for coming out in large numbers throughout the two-week tournament to add colour, flavour and rhythm to the tournament," it stated.
Around 584 894 people turned up for this year's FIFA Confederations Cup, held in Johannesburg, Free State, Pretoria and Rustenburg, according to statistics released by the world football governing body, FIFA.
The success of the Confederations Cup puts all doubt to rest and reconfirms the inevitable that, indeed, South Africa will deliver a successful 2010 FIFA World Cup, for the first time on African soil, in a period of less than a year from now.
Despite a few incidents, particularly in relation to the transport system and minor reported incidents of crime, government's overall impression of the tournament is that it was a "runaway success".
Government has further applauded Bafana Bafana, for their impressive performance that saw them reaching the semifinals of the tournament.
"We congratulate the team and wish them well in their preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup," government said.
It added that the 2010 FIFA World Cup would provide the country with an opportunity to change international perceptions about the African continent and South Africa.
Government affirmed that the Confederations Cup had given soccer spectators from around the world a glimpse of South Africa's capacity to compete with the best in the world.
For the purpose of the Festival of Champions, only four of South Africa's world-class stadiums were used, which include the Coca Cola Park stadium in Johannesburg, Royal Bafokeng in Rustenburg, Loftus Versveld in Pretoria and Free State stadium in Bloemfontein.
"All these venues have passed the test with flying colours and we congratulate all host cities for their hard work," government said.
Government remains committed to delivering on all the guarantees for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The other remaining stadiums such as Soccer City in Johannesburg, Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, Peter Mokaba Sports Complex in Polokwane, Moses Mabhida in Durban, Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit are nearing completion while the stadium in Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth has already been completed.
Government said it was confident that despite the global economic downturn, the 2010 FIFA World Cup will contribute positively to the country's economy and help South Africa attract more investment and grow tourism figures. Source: BuaNews |
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Cheaper Confeds tickets for disabled people |
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Wednesday, 17 June 2009 14:15 |
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By Gabi Khumalo
Pretoria - People living with disabilities have been encouraged to make use of the opportunity available to them to access FIFA Confederations Cup tickets at lower prices.
Minister of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, said the price for these tickets has been set at the Category four ticket price, which is the cheapest category of tickets, starting at R70.
Tickets for people on wheelchairs include a complimentary ticket for the person accompanying the disabled person to the match.
According to FIFA, the wheelchair positions will vary according to the layout of each stadium but they are generally situated along the length of the pitch.
Also encouraging is that easy wheelchair access was one of the main requirements in the design of all the new stadiums in the country.
Unlike other games, where people with disabilities sat behind the teams' bench, for the first time, all stadiums to be used during the Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup will have a paraplegic seating section. This section will cater for people with disabilities and includes a disability suite to house disabled dignitaries.
Minister Mayende-Sibiya welcomed the efforts made by FIFA and the Local Organising Committee to ensure that both the FIFA Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup games were equally accessible to persons with disabilities.
"We are very encouraged by the arrangements made to ensure that persons with disabilities participate fully in this historic moment for South Africa and the African continent to host the world's biggest sporting tournament.
"This tournament has to be a memorable event for all and I am glad that no one can be excluded from cheering his or her favourite team only on the basis of physical disability," said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
She added that as one of its focus areas, the new Ministry for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities will seek to ensure that public buildings and facilities are fully accessible to persons with various forms of disabilities.
The Confederations Cup, which is currently taking place in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Rustenburg and Bloemfontein until 28 June, is a dress rehearsal for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Source: BuaNews |
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President declares Confeds Cup officially opened |
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Sunday, 14 June 2009 14:18 |
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By Proffesor Ndawonde
Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has declared the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup officially open at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg.
"I declare the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup officially open," said President Zuma just before the 4pm kick-off.
The President said today was a great day for Africa and South Africa.
He further welcomed the eight nations participating in the tournament to South Africa.
"Today we are making history. The time has come. Today is the day Ke Nako (the time has come), let us show the world," the President said.
Also speaking at the official opening, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who thanked the people of South Africa, which he referred to as "brothers and sisters", for hosting the Festival of Champions.
"The world of football trusts you (South Africa) as you are hosting this event," Mr Blatter said.
Earlier in the day, LOC Chairman, Irvin Khoza said the three democratically elected presidents of South Africa have played major role in the South African success.
He was referring to first democratic President Nelson Mandela, former President Thabo Mbeki and President Jacob Zuma, who have all shown great commitment in ensuring that South Africa hosts the 2010 FIFA World. Source: BuaNews |
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Volunteer process closes after phenomenal response |
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Thursday, 04 September 2008 14:17 |
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The volunteer application process for the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 has closed after a phenomenal response from South African residents. The process opened on 1 July 2008 and as of Friday, 34 721 applications had been received from people wanting to volunteer to be part of the first major FIFA event in South Africa - and for the chance to write their names in the history books. Joburg residents led the pack with 16 236 volunteer applications, followed by Rustenburg with 6 580 applications, Mangaung/Bloemfontein with 6 489 applications and Tshwane/Pretoria with 5 416 applications. While the application process for the FIFA Confederations Cup was only available to South African residents, the Organising Committee received numerous queries from Germany, Brazil, USA, Ghana and Australia, showing the worldwide interest in and popularity of the Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first being held on the African continent. |
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FIFA volunteer applications break 20 000 barrier |
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Friday, 01 August 2008 18:24 |
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Exactly one month after the opening of the volunteer application process for the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009, over 20 000 people have already applied to be volunteers at the tournament. The process opened on 1 July 2008 and as at 11am Friday 01 August, 20 040 people had registered to be volunteers at the first major FIFA event in South Africa, reports the country’s Local Organising Committee (LOC). After the first four weeks, Joburgers are leading the pack with 8 890 volunteer applications, followed by Rustenburg with 4 629 applications, Tshwane/Pretoria with 3 238 applications and Mangaung/Bloemfontein with 2 525 applications. “We are delighted with the overwhelming response to our call for volunteers. It really shows that South Africans are very supportive and willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved to ensure the success of the Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” said Dr Danny Jordaan, Chief Executive Officer of LOC. |
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