First World Cup stadium Finished!!!

Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld stadium is the first of South Africa's 10 World Cup venues to be completed ahead of next year's finals.

The stadium's renovation is finished and it will open for action when it hosts a South African Premier Soccer League match on Saturday.

Its capacity has been increased from 45,000 to 50,000 and a new roof has been fitted on one of its main stands.

The venue is also one of four to be used in June's Confederations Cup.

The other three grounds - in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Rustenburg - were due to be ready last year but are still weeks away from completion.

The six other 2010 World Cup venues are due to be completed by the end of this year.

Loftus Versfeld will host Saturday's match between Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows.

It is also the home ground of rugby union team Blue Bulls and will host one of the three tests matches between the touring British and Irish Lions and South Africa's Springboks on 27 June.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7870565.stm

Cape Towns World Cup Stadium Jan 2009

As seen from the now only 6 hole par 3 Metropolitan golf course

Cape Towns World Cup Stadium Jan 2009

Cape Towns World Cup Stadium Jan 2009

World Cup 2010 Update

No plan B for 2010 Cup - Blatter








Fifa president Sepp Blatter
It has been an ambition of Blatter to have a World Cup in Africa

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has said there is no way the 2010 World Cup will be moved from South Africa.

Earlier this year Blatter admitted football's world governing body did have contingency plans for the event leading to rumours it could be moved.

But he has now said: "There definitely is no plan B or C, the only plan is to make the South African event a success.

"If there are still doubters, let me say that the 2010 World Cup will be organised in South Africa."

South Africa will become the first African nation to host the World Cup, with Fifa now confident that all necessary facilities will be ready in time.

There had been concerns that the 10 World Cup stadiums would not be finished on the schedule, while the country's crime rate had also been a cause of concern.

But Danny Jordaan, the head of the Local Organising Committee, has tried to allay fears over security.

"Security for any major event is the most important aspect," he said.

"But we have had 11 major events in the last 14 years and not a single incident.

"The fact is that the most peaceful time in Africa is before, during and after football matches."

South Africa will deploy 41,000 police officers specifically for the World Cup, all of whom will be sent for specialised training in crowd control.

Blatter is confident all the issues are being dealt with - and added it would fulfil a lifelong ambition of his to see the tournament held in Africa.

"Football is the most popular game in the world and in 2010 Africa will show that it is able to host a World Cup," he said.

"I'll be proud because it is my baby."

The Confederations Cup in June next year will be a key test of how ready South Africa is to host the World Cup.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7783573.stm

www.africatravelnetwork.net

A cuddly leopard with a green afro has been unveiled as the mascot of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The character, called Zakumi, has been given his own biography and name to reflect the country's aims and hopes.

Organisers said the character was 'born' on 16 June, 1994 - the year in which apartheid ended.

The date is celebrated as Youth Day to mark the 1976 Soweto uprising when young protesters struck a blow against white rule.

At the mascot's introduction at a state TV studio, a performer in a Zakumi costume kicked around a football with Mark Fish, who helped lead South Africa to the African Cup of Nations title in 1996.

The first two letters of Zakumi are the country's initials in Afrikaans - one of South Africa's 11 official languages.

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Cheers
Simon