|
Bloemfontein / Mangaung hosting 2010 FIFA World Cup™
Match Schedule
 Bloemfontein Airport preparing for soccer bonanza 2009 and 2010 Stadium upgrade At Bloemfontein / Mangaung, the Free State Stadium will be utilised as the main venue for the hosting of the FIFA Confederation Cup in 2009 and the 2010 FIFA World CupTM. The stadium will be upgraded from the current seating capacity of 38 000 to 46 000. To achieve this, the seating capacity of only the current grand stand will be upgraded, comprising mainly the following elements:
The stadium will then be utilised until the Confederation Cup scheduled to take place in June 2009. It must be mentioned that as the main work will be carried out on the current grand stand (i.e. western pavilion), attempts would be made to ensure the stadium remains operational during construction, subject to adherence to strict health and safety requirements as the main work will be carried out on the current grand stand (i.e. western pavilion), attempts would be made to ensure the stadium remains operational during construction, subject to adherence to strict health and safety requirements. A second contract will commence just before the 2009 Confederation Cup. The purpose of this contract is to complete the "overlay" work necessary for the event. The total cost of the upgrade is estimated at R241 million, with national government allocating R221 million and the remaining R20 million to come from the MLM's budget. Access roads around the precinct will also be upgraded to maintain sufficient capacity due to additional traffic. Roads such as Parfitt Avenue, First Avenue, Park Road, etc. will be rehabilitated. Transport projects Having an appropriate and efficient transport system for the Bloemfontein / Mangaung area is one of the city's key priorities but it has also proved to be one of the more complex projects to implement. The city has completed a number of studies and investigations in support of an integrated transport plan. As a result, Mangaung Local Municipality has compiled business plans for transport related projects, amounting to more than R400 million. During the month of February 2007, National Treasury approved an allocation of R245 million for transport related projects over the next two financial years. Most of the allocated amount (approx. R220 million) will go towards the Inter-modal Public Transport Facility project. It is envisaged that after the implementation of the above projects, the City and the Free State will have an effective public transport infrastructure network that will benefit air, rail and road travel beyond 2010. As part of the transport legacy, emphasis is also placed on encouraging non-motorised transport mode, in line with government objectives. Tourism and hospitality The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ provides the city with an opportunity to expedite the implementation of tourism development plans for the area. Bloemfontein / Mangaung is not a "run-of the mill" tourism destination and is relatively unknown. The exposure to the international markets through the hosting of events of such international magnitude will ensure that post-2010 the city is viewed in a different light. The city, however, will need to have the necessary supporting facilities to deal with the influx of visitors to the area. This remains one of the key challenges to be overcome by Bloemfontein / Mangaung in preparation for 2010. Currently the accommodation database shows the City has about 8 000 beds, whilst FIFA requires at least 20 000 beds given the matches to be allocated to Bloemfontein / Mangaung as host city. Clearly, a huge task lies ahead to close this gap. The city has started co-operating with Maseru, Kimberley, Welkom, Ladybrand and Welkom in an attempt to augment the number of beds available. Together with the satellite accommodation the number of beds are estimated in the region of 15 000. This new-found co-operation between the different cities also bodes well for future tourism development in the central region. Construction of additional hotels has already commenced, however the number of rooms will make an insignificant impact on the shortfall. The development of new accommodation establishments will expand and support the fundamental base required for a burgeoning tourism sector, considering supply and demand chain on a long term basis for sustainability. This in itself poses the city with an opportunity to further lend support to existing and new entrepreneurs who wish to venture into the tourism and hospitality sector. The grading of these accommodation establishments and the training of staff to ensure quality services will be important elements for the city to monitor to ensure that the growth of this sector is sustained and that quality is not compromised. The city is working closely with MATCH, the agency appointed by FIFA to deal with all accommodation and ticketing matters on their behalf. The hosting of a major event also offers the city an opportunity to showcase that it is more than a stop-over destination and that there is a lot to offer in terms of entertainment. Already the city has seen a number of new restaurants opening their doors in the city. The new development at the Loch Logan Waterfront is one case in point. The upgrading of the tourist facilities forms part of the city's beautification measures. Important landmarks, museums and monuments are been given a new lease on life with several upgrade and renovation projects underway. The upgrade of Naval Hill is another example. ICT (Information and Communication Technology) An ICT project plan has been developed and forms part of the Bloemfontein / Mangaung 2010 Business plan. This plan addresses the FIFA 2010 ICT requirements according to the document provided by FIFA. The FIFA ICT requirements focus on the following:
Other infrastructure projects that form part of the already approved 2010 business plan for the city will address the following services:
2010 FIFA Imbizo shows great opportunities... The great opportunities for development and business, arising from Bloemfontein / Mangaung Host City preparing for 2009 and 2010 were highlighted on 31 January 2008 during a promotional visit of a joint FIFA / LOC delegation to Bloemfontein. 1 March 2008 would signify only 831 days remaining to kick-off for 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa. Latest tourist figures show that the leading countries whose citizens visit South Africa most, are all known for their passion for soccer. There is evidently a build-up of visitors to South Africa for the Confederations Cup in 2009 and FIFA Word Cup™ in 2010 , culminating in an expected 450 000 visitors to converge on the country during the peak period June - July 2010. Also for Bloemfontein / Mangaung as one of the 9 host cities in South Africa, the opportunities and developmental potential are enormous. The 2010 FIFA Imbizo hosted by Mangaung Host City on 31 January 2008 at Ilanga Estate, comprised a comprehensive and professional presentation to a range of stakeholders, pointing out the opportunities available to the local tourism industry. From this could be gathered what tremendous spin-off could be expected for sectors such as accommodation, catering and restaurants, transport of various kinds, tourist sights, shopping in general, etc. Official slogan for 2010 FIFA World Cup™ During the FIFA 2010 Imbizo in Bloemfontein / Mangaung on 31 January 2008, the localizing of the official slogan of 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa was confirmed, namely Ke Nako - Celebrating Africa's humanity. As such it also signifies Africa's hospitality and a time to examine who the people of Africa are - the country where the most African languages are spoken. It is moreover time to be justly proud of South Africa and Africa and to show what they have to offer. Ke Nako! Now is the time……. Thumbs-up from latest FIFA / LOC technical inspection A joint FIFA / Local Organising Committee (LOC) Technical Team on Friday, 22 February 2008 gave the thumbs up to preparations at Mangaung for hosting the Confederations Cup 2009 and 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The visit formed part of a series of similar visits to some of the host cities in the country. The FIFA/LOC Team consisted of experts in the fields of, inter alia, competitions, marketing, information technology, media, accommodation, security, construction and transport arrangements. The inspection tour is standard procedure for FIFA hosting countries and is aimed at ensuring that preparations are on schedule and on par. The visit also served to enhance relationships with various local authorities. After the visit to Mangaung, a spokesperson for the FIFA / LOC Inspection Team said that they were thoroughly impressed with the city's progress and also the hospitality shown by Mangaung Host City. The head of FIFA South Africa, Mr Ron Delmont said that they found all preparations on track! And that it shows that the local 2010 Office understands the requirements of FIFA and is complying with it. The inspection team consisted of experts in areas such as construction, marketing, media, accommodation and security. FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 The FIFA Confederations Cup is an official FIFA tournament, held every four years as a warm-up event to the FIFA World Cup™, but by no means a minor competition. In fact, due to the nature of its participants, it is often referred to as the 'Champions of Champions' tournament. The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup will be the 8th Confederations Cup and is to be held in South Africa from June 14 to June 28, 2009. The current champion is Brazil. The five cities to host this competition in SA, are Johannesburg (Ellis Park Stadium), Tshwane (Loftus Versfeld Stadium), Nelson Mandela Bay (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium), Mangaung (Free State Stadium), and Rustenburg (Royal Bafokeng Stadium). The participating teams are South Africa (host), Italy (winner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup), USA (winner of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup), Brazil (winner of the Copa America 2007), Iraq (winner of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup), Egypt (winner of the2008 Africa Cup of Nations), the winner of UEFA Euro 2008 and the winner of the 2008 OFC Nations Cup. Influx of visitors expected The leading eight countries whose citizens visit South Africa the most, namely the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, Netherlands, France, Australia, Sweden and Ireland, are all known for their passion for the game of football. The latest tourism and migration figures from Statistics South Africa reflect that overseas travelers come mainly from Europe with 70,8% followed by North America 11,7%, Asia 9,6%, Central and South America 2,2% and Middle East with 1,6%, Travelers from these eight countries constitute 67,2% of all travelers from overseas. Meanwhile, according to data from SA Tourism, foreign arrivals have contributed more than R79 billion to South Africa's economy. It is also expected to make up about 12% of the country's GDP by the time the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ comes around. The estimated number of foreign travelers who visited South Africa through all its ports of entry during November was up 6,5%. As for Mangaung and the Free State, the challenges in this regard are twofold: Firstly it is up to every stakeholder in the local hospitality industry to ensure that as many visitors as possible visit Mangaung and the Free State, that they stay longer in the province and that they spend more money here. This constitutes the responsibility of every tourism product owner and entrepreneur, every governmental body and every citizen in the state. Secondly, Mangaung and the Free State province should vie on the open tourist market to accommodate as many overseas visitors as possible irrespective of whether they come to watch matches being played at other centres. The explicit arrangements by FIFA and MATCH are that bookings for accommodation, tickets and transport will be handled in such a way that it actually does not matter where in South Africa one stays, you can still attend matches with ease. Ideally we would want as many people as possible to stay in Mangaung and the Free State. Therefore the local accommodations sector needs to pull out all the stops in ensuring as large a slice as possible of the tourism cake. Mangaung 2010 preparations for energy requirements Speaking at the 2010 FIFA Imbizo on 31 January 2008, the Executive Mayor of Mangaung, Ms. Gertrude Mothupi, said that all preparations in Mangaung are on schedule, including the upgrading of the Free State Stadium. Responding to questions on electricity supply in the city, Mothupi said that the Mangaung Local Council, Centlec and Eskom have already put the necessary structures in place to pre-empt any power outages and to build up spare capacity to bridge any possible interruptions. In wider context, Pres. Mbeki stated in Parliament on 8 February 2008: "Of course, I have absolutely no doubt that we will honour our undertaking to FIFA and the world community of soccer players and lovers to create all the necessary conditions for the holding of the best ever FIFA Soccer World Cup tournament. By late 2007, the Financial and Fiscal Commission reported that R17.4 billion had already been made available to the different provinces for use in the construction and revamping of stadiums. Government has also indicated that all developments, transport infrastructure in particular, are not only aimed at 2010, but well beyond in an effort to create sustainable infrastructure growth." This sentiment was also echoed by Free State Premier Beatrice Marshoff in her State of the Province Address at the opening of the 2008 Free State Legislature on 15 February 2008 when she stated that it is a case of "Business as Unusual" in the province with regards to preparations for hosting the 2009 Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup™. She explained that the full weight of government and of most of the private sector is behind a common effort to ensure the province benefit maximally in the socio-economic benefits of hosting the two events. More than a game - 20 centres for 2010 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is more than just soccer, it is also about social upliftment on the African continent. As a result, FIFA launched the official social upliftment campaign of the 2010 Fifa World Cup - 20 Centres for 2010. The campaign aims to raise US$10-million to fund the construction of 20 Football for Hope centres across Africa. Five centres will be located in South Africa, including one in Alexandra township in Johannesburg, and a further 15 across the continent. Each will feature a mini-pitch along with classrooms and health care facilities, providing youngsters with a place to play as well as access to counselling, health and educational services. To get the ball rolling, Fifa - supported by its six partners Adidas, Coca-Cola, Emirates, Hyundai, Sony and Visa - has committed to contributing $500 to the campaign for every goal scored during the more than 800 Fifa World Cup qualifying matches - amounting to a donation of at least $1 million. Fans will also be able to contribute by making a donation for every goal scored by the team of their choice on the road to and during the 2010 World Cup. For more info on this campaign, as well as about every other aspect concerning 2009 and 2010, visit www.fifa.com. |
|