13 February 2009
Mafikeng â The North West province has been greenified as preparation to
host the 2010 World Cup. Currently 20 sports facilities have been made
green.
This was outlined today by Premier, Edna Molema, on her State of the
Province Address presented before the North West Provincial Legislature.
The Premier promised that Rustenburg, as the Host City, would successfully
deliver a 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. She said the
provincial government had made a commitment to support Rustenburg and the Royal
Bafokeng Administration in their endeavour to deliver on this spectacle.
Molewa says preparations to host the Confederations Cup are well on track in
relation to the upgrading of the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace and related
infrastructure, the volunteer programme, safety and security, health, disaster
management as well as the mass mobilisation of communities.
She further said these institutions would assist in the development of the
creative industry and in social cohesion, nation building and an understanding
of the people of this country's identity. She confirmed that the match venue
would be handed over to the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and FIFA before 14
June 2009, when it would be hosting the first match to be played in it after
the Peace Cup and the British Lions tour shall have been used as trial
runs.
"Together with other stakeholders, we shall ensure the full participation
and economic benefit of communities neighbouring the host city, including the
wearing of the Bafana Bafana sportswear every last Friday of the month until
the beginning of the FIFA World Cup matches in 2010," said Premier Molewa.
She added that this would ensure that "our vision of a Soccer World Cup to
be proud of lives on."
Issued by: North West Provincial Government
13 February 2009
