FIFA Confederations Cup to be played at five venues – Port Elizabeth remains
6 May 2008

After comprehensive analysis and tight monitoring over the last few months the Board of Directors of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (SALOC) today (6 May) confirmed that the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 will be played at five venues as originally scheduled. This means that Port Elizabeth/Nelson Mandela Bay will be kept in the match schedule following guarantees provided by the city and its delegation to the Board meeting, headed by Mayor Nondumiso Maphasi and Deputy Mayor Bicks Ndoni as well the MEC for Sports and Recreation of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Noxolo Ntantiso. The Board and FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke stressed that the end of March 2008 is the final deadline which can be provided to Port Elizabeth, as the only newly built Confederations Cup stadium, to be fully operational.

“At this stage all five stadiums are still in. We are placing tight monitoring on all of them and if by any chance if any of them fails to comply with the agreed deadlines they will be removed (from the FIFA Confederations Cup schedule). Port Elizabeth is a new stadium and that's why we have been patient with them. Recently they have accelerated the process, which gives us comfort. That the FIFA Confederations Cup is a success is a matter of national pride”, said Irvin Khoza, SALOC Chairman.

The board stressed that it is imperative that all five stadiums will be delivered according to the FIFA technical requirements and timelines which have already been provided. Therefore, the Board asked the Organising Committee Technical Team (OCTT) to closely monitor the progress of the constructions and upgrades at all five venues at Johannesburg/Ellis Park, Rustenburg/Royal Bafokeng, Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane/Pretoria, Freestate stadium in Mangaung/Bloemfontein as well as the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth to make sure all guarantees and requirements are met in time. This is crucial to ensure that there is sufficient opportunity for testing of the facility and training directly related to the running of the facility, this includes security stewards, parking staff and hospitality among others.

“We have submitted a letter on 24 January 2008 to the Local Organising Committee outlining the crucial deadlines for completion of the stadium. The answers received over the last few days as well as a site visit made us believe that PE will be able to be ready by 30 March 2009. On this basis we have decided to stick to the schedule with five venues but all dates indicated on our letter will be closely monitored by the OCTT and FIFA and any deviation from the dates will have consequences. It is vital that all stadiums will be meeting the indicated FIFA requirements and deadlines and this will be monitored and handled accordingly, ” said FIFA Secretary General.

Further matters discussed:

FIFA Confederations Cup ticketing prices

The FIFA Confederations Cup, also known as Festival of the continental champions, will be the first major test on the way to 2010. South Africa will be in the global spotlight and will have to showcase its readiness and capabilities to stage the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The approach to the event taking place from 14 to 28 June 2009 is to make it a truly African celebration. The pricing strategy therefore is to focus mainly on the domestic marketwith the objective to ensure that South African football supporters will be able to experience great football and in line with that the prices (in USD) have been defined as following. In South Africa all categories of FIFA Confederations tickets will be sold in Rand at a fixed exchange rate yet to be determined.
 
Matches
Cat 1
Cat 2
Cat 3
Cat 4
Sky Box
Wheel Chair
1
100
50
30
10
100
10
2 to 12
100
50
30
10
100
10
12 to 14
100
75
50
20
120
20
15
100
50
30
10
100
10
16
200
100
60
30
100
30
 

“For the first timein the history of this event Africa will have two representatives among the eight participants with host Bafana Bafana and the African champions Egypt. South African fans will see some of the best teams in the world namely 2006 world champions Italy and 2002 world champions and current defending Confederations Cup champion Brazil”, said Danny Jordaan, CEO of the SALOC. The draw for the event will take place on the 22/23 of November and various proposals for the draw location have been received by the SALOC with the decision to be finalized soon.

Update in government's contribution 2010

Deputy Finance Minister and SALOC Board member Jabu Molekti reported on the governmental contribution to 24 dedicated FIFA World Cup Projects amounting to R 28,518,290,000 to ensure a lasting legacy in terms of infrastructure beyond 2010. The key projects are the creation of an efficient transport system as well as the investment in a state of the art telecommunication structure to not only meet the obligations of developing the necessary infrastructure for the FIFA World Cup but to create long-term benefits to South Africa and its economic growth. "The FIFA World Cup has presented us an opportunity to accelerate government's delivery of key infrastructural upgrades. We have engaged in careful planning and implementation to ensure that all the upgrades and new constructions, including the stadiums, have substantial advantages for our citizens beyond the games”, said the Deputy Finance Minister. Furthermore, the Board stressed that it is important that a financial and a maintenance legacy fund is created to ensure the efficient and successful long-term operation of the stadiums