AFPMarking exactly 30 days to go until the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) put the focus squarely on the hundreds-and-thousands of fans who will be part of next month’s event.
At Soccer City stadium, host of the World Cup opening and final matches, members of the media were briefed about the level of preparation that has been put in place for fans, ensuring that this is without a doubt a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Getting to the stadium
Transport is a key consideration for any fan on match day and OC Chief Transport Officer, Skhumbuzo Macozoma, took the attending media through the transport plans for the tournament.
Fans were advised to first investigate the various public transport options, many of which are new or have received substantial upgrades ahead of the tournament, to get to the stadiums. Ellis Park and Soccer City, with their upgraded train stations, were given as examples of how rail in many cases is the best option for fans to get to the stadium.
In some of the bigger cities new bus rapid transport systems have been put in place, which offer safe and affordable transport options to the stadiums. Taxis are also a feasible option.
For cities with adequate space close to the stadiums, park and walk is a good option, allowing fans the freedom to make their own way to the stadium and take a short walk to their seat.
Park and ride, which was a popular option during the FIFA Confederations Cup, will also be in operation at all stadiums. Spectators were reminded to give adequate time to getting in and out of the stadium when using this option on match day.
Fans were encouraged to spread the load across all the options which also include chartered services.
Inside the stadium
OC Security Manager, Mlungisi Ncame, emphasised that the role of security was to create a festive and family mood for all spectators.
He took the fans through what they can expect as they proceed through security checkpoints on match day. At first they will be taken through a baggage search and a visual check of the ticket. From there they will proceed to the electronic ticket scanner where their ticket will be verified. This is where any fraudulent or damaged tickets will be picked up and dealt with accordingly.
Fans were reassured by Spectator Services and Volunteer Manager, Onke Mjo, that volunteers will be on hand to assist them the moment they arrived inside the stadium precinct. There will be 350 spectator services volunteers in Soccer City alone to assist fans with everything from language to getting to their seat.
Fans will be expected to sit in their allocated seats and there is a system in place to deal with fans in the wrong seats. At Soccer City there will be 1000 security guards and 1400 stewards to ensure the safety of everyone in the stadium.
The OC is confident that the guarantee made by the South African government to FIFA in 2003 with regard to security is still valid and has no reason to be concerned by terrorism threats.
The gates to the stadiums will be open three hours before each match and fans were urged to be in the stadium precinct by this time. Gates open four hours before for the opening match in order for fans to be seated before the 14h00 opening ceremony start.
Fan Parks
As an alternative to going to the stadium, the FIFA Fan Fests™ - which will show the football live on big screens – were also discussed, with FIFA Marketing’s Carl Monteiro taking the media through the locations.
Johannesburg – InnesFree Park (Sandton), Elkah stadium (Soweto)
Cape Town – Grand Parade
Tshwane/Pretoria – Centurion Cricket ground
Durban – New Beach
Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth – St George’s Park Cricket Grounds
Mangaung/Bloemfontein – Mangaung Outdoor Sports Centre
Nelspruit – Bergvlam High School
Polokwane – Polokwane Cricket Club
Rustenburg – Fields College School
Entrance to the FIFA Fan Fests™ will be free of charge, with the gates opening at 10h00 on match day. Live entertainment and food and drinks will be available before and after the matches
No comments:
Post a Comment