21 August 2007

GOVERNMENT is dedicating serious attention and the appropriate resources to securing adequate energy supply for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

"We are paying serious attention to the issue of power supply taking into account that the World Cup will be during the winter season," according to Joe Phahla, Director General of government's 2010 unit.

"We will ensure that there are built in back up generators in all the stadiums as requirements from FIFA."

A task team has been formed to look at the efficiency of the energy supply during the tournament.

"The chief responsibility of the task team is to attend to all issues relating to the security and quality of electricity supply," he said.

The team comprises of Eskom, Hydro Carbon and the Department of Minerals and Energy amongst others.

"The ministerial business plan outlining projected expenditure for all energy activities has also been completed," said Phahla.

"Business benchmarks relating to the quality of electricity supply and the quality of service have been established in line with the regulatory framework."

National government, Phahla explained, would assist and support the smaller host cities deliver on the infrastructure needed for the World Cup.

He commended the City of Johannesburg on having started to upgrade sport fields which will be used as team training venues, but added that the smaller host venues had yet to start this.

World Cup fixtures will be played in ten stadia across the country, of which half are being renovated to comply with FIFA's requirements and the other half to be built from scratch.

Construction has started on all the five arenas to be newly built.

Renovations to four of the stadiums set to host 2010 fixtures would be complete by December 2008.

These stadiums are Vodacom Park in Mangaung, Royal Bafokeng in Rustenburg, Loftus stadium in Pretoria and Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Those who will be completed by October 2009 are Mbombela in Nelspruit, Peter Mokaba (Polokwane), Nelson Mandela Bay, Green Point (Cape Town) Moses Mabhida (Durban) and the Soccer City in Johannesburg.

"As national government we are looking at assisting other host cities in terms of upgrading their training grounds, and also to have viable Fan Parks," said Phahla.

About R17.4 billion has been invested in transport and other infrastructure, while government guarantees and legal frameworks around the tournament are on track.

"We have signed all 17 guarantees and the legal framework for the tournament is well ahead," said Phahla.

The legal framework includes the Special Measures Bill, which ensures that government guarantees a pass through legislation, and to legally declare the World Cup as a protected event from ambush marketing.

Source: BuaNews