South Africa: World Cup Stadium ready

  1. Posted on Thursday 5 February 2009 - 12:12
    Mernat
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    Mernat Mafirakurewa, AfricaNews reporter in Johannesburg, South Africa
    SA's Local Organizing Commitee for the 2010 World Cup has announced that one of the stadia to host the world soccer event is ready for use. The stadium will on Sunday become the first World Cup venue to open for action when it hosts a Premier Soccer League match between Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows.
    Greenpoint Stadium_World Cup 2010_Cape Town_Elles van Gelder
    Often simply referred to as Loftus, the stadium has served as a venue for many international matches. It will also be used for a rugby test between the touring British Lions and South Africa's Springboks on June 27.

    The stadium's renovation has been completed, including the installation of a new roof on one of its four stands, ahead of the World Cup finals next year, South African organising committee officials said on Wednesday. Its capacity has been increased from 45,000 to 50,000.

    Renovations at the other three venues -- Ellis Park in Johannesburg and stadiums in Bloemfontein and Rustenburg were supposed to be completed last year but are still weeks away from being operational, officials said.

    The site on which Loftus Versfeld is located was first used for sport in 1903. It was named after Robert Owen Loftus Versfeld, who is attributed with establishing organized sport in Pretoria. It has been used for numerous sports events including the 1995 Rugby World Cup and 1996 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. It is now used by Mamelodi Sundown’s as their home ground.

    The six other 2010 World Cup stadiums are due to be completed by the end of this year.

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