As part of the 2010 Artificial Pitch Legacy Programme, First National Bank (FNB) in partnership with the George Municipality has embarked upon a Sod Turning ceremony conducted today in light of the official opening of the Lawaaikamp artificial pitch due to take place in March 2010.
“George Municipality is extremely grateful to partner with FNB in this much needed Sport Development Project. We are convinced that all George Communities and particular the Youth will benefit from this Soccer 2010 Legacy Project,” says Mr Philip de Swardt, Mayor of George Municipality. Continue Reading
Engineers and contractors have moved onto site to begin construction of Mossel Bay’s new FIFA-standard football pitch on the Extension 23 Fields – a significant step in readying the town for the 2010 World Cup, and one that has been applauded by the Local and the South African Football Associations.
A representative of the Municipality of Mossel Bay, Shane de Bruyn, handed the site to Nic van der Merwe of Entsha Henra contractors, and Jan Brink of SSI Civil Engineers and Environmental Consultants, on Friday, August 14th.
During the handover, Mr. Brink said that the project would see the replacement of two existing, under-sized fields with one full-sized, FIFA-standard soccer pitch
He said that the surface of the existing field was below standard, “so we’ll remove all the grass, and the topsoil, and then we’ll reshape the field and install irrigation and sub-surface irrigation systems.
“Then we’ll do layer works and replace the topsoil before we plant the new grass.”
He said that the fields currently had an east-west orientation, but that the new pitch would be oriented to face north-south.
Mr. Brink said that maintenance after completion would be the responsibility of the municipality, but, “we’re installing an irrigation system with time switches,” to ensure that the grass will be kept in world class condition.
Mr. Harris thanked the Garden Route Casino Community Trust for its substantial contribution towards the construction of change-room facilities – which have been lacking since the fields were first developed.
Speaking on behalf of the Trust, casino manager Robin Seabrook said that the funds had been donated because, “our community trust is here specifically to uplift the community of the Greater Mossel Bay Area, and the upgrading of sporting facilities is one of the things we’re committed to.” Continue Reading
Imagine thousands of soccer fans blowing Vuvuzela’s simultaneously for a full 30 seconds before the start of a match? 300 volunteers to help make it all possible….and a new Guinness World Record is set.
On Thursday, 23 July 2009, Vodacom will enhance its status as the voice behind the teams, when it spearheads a Guinness World Record (GWR) attempt at the Vodacom Challenge Derby, at Nelson Mandela stadium in Port Elizabeth. At this soccer crescendo, soccer fans will make their mark in history when they are counted as the voice behind the new world record. Three minutes before kick off, fans will be signaled to blow their vuvuzelas simultaneously, for 30 seconds.
The first 20 000 fans to enter the stadium will receive a complimentary limited edition Vodacom Guinness World Record vuvuzela. Continue Reading
South African National Parks (SANParks) and First National Bank (FNB) have unveiled a truly African icon that they believe will become synonymous with football and other sports in South Africa. The “Kuduzela”, a wind instrument in the shape of a kudu horn, was launched at a press event held in Pretoria today.
According to the Chief Executive of SANParks, Dr David Mabunda, “Traditionally, in some African communities, the kudu horn has been used as an instrument to call people together for gatherings at the royal house or for a community imbizo but most importantly as a call to battle. Now the Kuduzela will fulfil the same role. The Kuduzela will call all South Africans, international guests and soccer fans to South Africa for what is set to be a spectacular tournament in 2010 and appropriately it will be calling the ‘warring parties’ to the symbolic battlefield of soccer.” Continue Reading
Orlando Pirates players can’t wait to lace up their boots for the 10th anniversary of the Vodacom Challenge against Manchester City, at the Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane, on Saturday, July 18 (15h00 kickoff).
Teko Modise said: “Manchester City is a class side. We have been watching Robinho play since his days in Santos, Brazil and this talented player can do almost anything with the ball. They have other fine players too including Shaun Wright Phillips who has lots of pace. But we also have skilful players like Katlego Mashego, Benson Mhlongo and Dikgang ‘Terminator’ Mabalane. If we are committed enough on the day, we can win.”
“Manchester City plays a fast game but so do we. As for my free kicks, I am putting a lot of extra training into them and in the new season I am going to try and get even better and hopefully become the best free kick taker in SA.”
“Ruthless” is how Katlego Mashego described his approach to the goal-scoring chances that will come his way against Manchester City.
“We probably won’t get as many goal-scoring chances against Manchester City as we would get in a local league match so we need to be ruthless in our approach to scoring, but the English club have some fine players and I am really looking forward to the challenge of playing against them,” said Mashego.
Benson Mhlongo has made the Orlando Pirates centre midfield his own since arriving from Mamelodi Sundowns at the start of the 2008/2009 season, and is eager to help his club put in a good showing against The Blues. Continue Reading
I predicted that Mamelodi Sundowns would make a spectacular move in the close season and it seems they have done just that with the signing of Hristo Stoichkov as Head Coach on a two year contract. He will take over from Ted Dumitru who had taken charge of the club on a caretaker basis.
This is the second very high profile coach Sundowns have roped in having parted ways with Henri Michel who was unable to complete a full season at the club. Stoichkov made his name as a player when he was part of Johan Cryuff’s ‘dream team’ at Barcelona that won four league championships in a row and a European Champions Cup in 1992.
He was also named European Player of The Year and was the top goal scorer at the USA ’94 FIFA World Cup which earned him the Golden Boot Award. Unfortunately it seems as if his signing was preceded by allegations of match fixing at his previous Romanian club after his charges drew a match under very controversial circumstances. Continue Reading
Kaizer Motaung has done very well as a soccer entrepreneur by starting and growing Kaizer Chiefs into arguably the biggest soccer brand in the country. The same applies to John Comitis who owns Ajax Cape Town.
He’s built this club into a sustainable long-term business with fantastic infrastructure. Patrice Motsepe is a mining entrepreneur who has not shown any acumen in sports despite his noble and very grand intentions.
For Patrice, Mamelodi Sundowns is like a sideshow which he is not giving the attention it needs to be really financially successful. He is just throwing money at it with very little strategy. Then there is Dieter Bock who bought Moroka Swallows and is only seen once or twice a year at the club’s prize-giving ceremonies. Continue Reading
When I attended the Brazil Vs USA Confed Cup match at Loftus I couldn’t help admiring the Zakumi’s dance moves during half-time. However, I couldn’t help wondering how many average South Africans know who this character is.
For those who don’t know, Zakumi is the official mascot for the FIFA 2010 World Cup. Unfortunately, if you ask the ordinary township dwelling citizen this, you will more than likely draw a blank. The same applies to the ordinary soccer loving African who regards themselves as a stakeholder in the first African World Cup. Continue Reading
Watching the highlights during the Confed Cup, I couldn’t help noticing how quickly the producers are able to put together all the plays by an individual player or all the saves during a game, for instance. One can’t help noticing the very high level of methodology and accuracy of it all.
A bit of research revealed what the secret is – an amazing secret at that. FIFA have hired the services of very advanced match statistic recording company from Sweden called Tracab for the Confed Cup and the 2010 World Cup, and beyond, I would imagine. Continue Reading
