25 February 2007
These were the words of an ecstatic KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele
at the close of the A1 Grand Prix in Durban today.
More than 30 000 people attended the race and no major incidents were
reported.
"The success, yet again, of the 2007 A1 Grand Prix in Durban is confirmation
that we are indeed capable of hosting successful international events.
KwaZulu-Natal is the Home of Sport and the A1 is certainly going to be staying
in Durban. If you want to be sure about the success of anything, send it to
Durban.
"KwaZulu-Natal is home to the Comrades Marathon, the Dusi Marathon, the
Durban July, International Surfing Championships and the home of A1.
KwaZulu-Natal is on the move and this partnership between the private sector
and the public sector must be solidified," said Ndebele.
Ndebele said the importance of the A1 Grand Prix is not only limited to
KwaZulu-Natal. "It is the first race of its kind to be held in Africa, let
alone South Africa. It therefore assumes continental importance. We are however
all aware that beyond the borders of Africa, there is a significant amount of
interest in the race. This is because the format ensures that nations as
opposed to individual manufacturers' teams are the competitors in this
series.
"As a provincial government we are committed to using sport as a leverage to
develop KwaZulu-Natal. Indeed around the city and province we are building the
necessary sporting infrastructure to successfully host events of this
magnitude. We have some of the best climate in the world and the best beaches
and accommodation facilities across the range. Our greatest asset, however,
remains our people who ensure that we have an even better and successful A1
Grand Prix in Durban every year."
"When we look back we will no doubt say that we were able to contribute, as
best as we could, to the development and promotion of motor sport in our
continent and country. We are also in no doubt that an event of this magnitude,
coming as it does before we host the 2010 Soccer World Cup, gives us a chance
to reconfirm our mettle as organisers and hosts of international standing."
"For our part sport represents the greatest opportunity of rallying our
people, black and white, towards an economically stable and peaceful
KwaZulu-Natal. We hope that in carrying out this responsibility, we can drive
faster the hopes of our people towards a prosperous future as well as a better
KwaZulu-Natal, country and continent for all," Ndebele said.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Spokesperson to Premier Ndebele
Cell: 083 644 4050
E-mail: maistryl@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
25 February 2007
