“We have a long way to go in terms of fulfilling all obligations of the world cup. That is why we need projects such as these to provide some type of legacy, and we believe that this is what we want to do to help those who live in the margins of society to benefit from the 2010 [FIFA] World Cup,” Greg Fredericks, acting manager of 2010 FIFA World Cup legacy told the media.
These soccer grounds will be fitted with an administration office, training lights, adequate changing-rooms, ablutions facilities and perimeter and security fencing, and their maintenance will be in charge of municipalities, Fredericks explained.
Construction of the first nine grounds (phase one) is due to start soon and ends early September, while the next phase is set to be completed in April next year. Orange Farm, some 40km south-east of Joburg, will house the Gauteng ground, and Grassy Park will get the Western Cape artificial turf.
Other areas include Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga, Ixopo in KwaZulu-Natal, Upington in Northern Cape and Cacadu in the Eastern Cape.
“One of the worst legacies of sport under apartheid is the scarcity of football facilities in disadvantaged areas and the complete lack of recognition and support by the apartheid government of the sport,” LOC CEO Danny Jordaan said.
One of the aims to equip these grounds with artificial turfs is to reduce the cost of upkeep on a continual basis.
“We thank all those who play Tata ma-Chance every week. In supporting this project, the NLDTF is confident that the grant will have a positive impact on the communities the facilities serve,” spokesperson Sershan Naidoo said.
Government said it will spend R30 billion on world cup-related projects as part of the long-term infrastructure plan. This includes a total of R6.9 billion that has been allocated for expenditure before 2010 as a much-needed catalyst for the faster development of an efficient, sustainable and affordable transport system.
