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South Africa is the host country for the 2010
FIFA World CupTM
which will be staged at 10 venues across nine South
African cities: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port
Elizabeth, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Bloemfontein,
Rustenburg and Pretoria.
Here are some details on how the country is preparing
for the event::
STADIUMS
New stadiums are being prepared for the South African
2010 World Cup. They are amongst the most
spectacular in the world and will collectively seat more
than 570 000 people. Here are interesting
details on some of the venues:
• The Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban has a steel arch
105m above the middle of the pitch, and by using a
cable car, spectators will enjoy a stunning view of the
Indian Ocean.
• Soccer City in Johannesburg takes the form of a
calabash, a traditional African drinking vessel. The
outer skin area spans 43 000 m2 and will be constructed
from wholly natural energy-efficient material. It is the
biggest stadium in Africa, seating almost 95 000 people.
• The Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit is situated in a
region known for its wild beauty and animals, close to
the Kruger National Park. A signature feature is the
18 roof supports that resemble giraffes.
•
The
Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace requires only minor
renovations to bring it in line with
standards for a stadium able to host first and second
round matches for the FIFA™ World Cup
•
Nelson Mandela Stadium Port
Elizabeth - This
stadium is being prepared
and will have a capacity of 49,500. It has a
high-tech, modern design and will meet every requirement
needed to provide a world class venue for the first and
second round matches of the 2010 World Cup
•
Ellis Park Stadium is a major football venue in
Johannesburg. It has been ear-marked as a semi-final
venue for the 2010 South Africa World Cup.
Stadiums in
townships are being upgraded, some as training venues.
These include:
• Orlando Stadium, which has been completed ahead of
schedule, and Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto
• Rand, Cecil Payne, Rabie Ridge and Ruimsig stadiums in
Johannesburg
• HM Pitje, Super and Giant stadiums in
Tshwane/Pretoria
• Sesa Ramabodu Stadium in Rocklands, Cape Town
• Princess Magogo, King Zwelithini and Sugar Ray Xulu
stadiums in Durban
• Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg.
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