May 24, 2004
By Lucky Sindane
ABOUT R350-million has been set aside to upgrade Soccer City stadium at Nasrec for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
With the announcement that South Africa is to host the Soccer World Cup in 2010, organisers are now getting down to business, preparing for the hard work ahead.
Soccer City is a key venue for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, having been put forward by the bid committee as the venue for both the opening match and the final of the competition.
Some eight kilometres to the south-west of the city centre, Soccer City is the home of the South African Football Association (Safa).
"Soccer City is the largest stadium on the African continent," says the stadium general manager, Dennis Mumble. "We said it when we were biding for the 2006 Soccer World Cup, and we're still saying it - Soccer City is the best stadium."
Built in 1987, Soccer City currently has a capacity of 80 000. But, by the time 2010 arrives, this will have been upped to 94 700. The two-tiered stadium will also have an encircling roof added - one of the major construction projects.
"While the upgrade will enable the stadium to hold 94 7000 spectators we are looking at increasing its capacity to 100 000," Mumble adds.
The expansion project is to begin in September and will be complete by April 2007. "All the plans are finalised and we are busy with consultations with the national government."
The hosting of an event of the size of the Soccer World Cup has ramifications beyond the stadiums themselves: the surrounding areas have to upgraded to handle the crowds.
"We are working with the City Of Johannesburg to upgrade the area. There are many things that needs to be upgraded, such as the roads that lead to the stadium and street lights," says Mumble.
Soccer City is used for Premier Soccer League games as well as internationals, and as far as the matches are concerned "it's business as usual", says Mumble. "We will continue to host matches as usual. We are going to take it one step at the time."
Talks are also under way on upgrading Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg Stadium and Orlando Stadium.
Ellis Park has been earmarked to host one of the semi-finals.
"The Ellis Park precinct will be upgraded, with an extra 20 000 seats being added," says Morris Douglas, general manager operations at Ellis Park Stadium. The stadium management team will be meeting Safa and the government to discuss the plans.
Mbulelo Bezu - the manager of sports and recreation in Region 10, which includes Diepkloof, Meadowlands, Orlando East and West, and Dube - says the Fifa technical inspection team had visited Orlando Stadium - which will also play a role in the 2010 Soccer World Cup. "We are now waiting to meet with the Safa to confirm whether it will be upgraded or not," Bezu adds.
Orlando Stadium is to be one of the training venues for the tournament.
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