The Ministry of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities would like to encourage all South Africans with disabilities to use the opportunity available to access the FIFA Confederation Cup games currently underway in South Africa.
Persons with disabilities are encouraged to use a special dispensation available for persons who, due to disability, are unable to attend a football match without the use of a wheelchair.
The price for these tickets has been set at category four ticket prices which is the cheapest category of tickets (starting at R70). The wheelchair ticket also includes a complimentary ticket for the person accompanying a person with disability 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.
Minister Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya welcomes the efforts that have been made by FIFA and the Local Organising Committee to ensure that both the Confederation and Soccer World Cup games are 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. 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.
As one of its focus areas, the new Ministry of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities will seek to ensure that public building and facilities are fully accessible to persons with various forms of disabilities.
Enquiries:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Department of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities
17 June 2009
