Enthusiasm growing in SA ahead of Confeds Cup: survey

Today marks exactly a month before the kick-off of the Confederations Cup and operational plans are in place for the 14 day FIFA event. Tomorrow marks five years since South Africa was awarded the rights to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

A survey by an international research agency and distributed by FIFA, shows 89 % of South Africans believe that hosting these events will bring long-term benefits. While 95 % of the tickets sold so far for the Confeds Cup, were purchased by South Africans.

Chief Executive Officer of the LOC Danny Jordaan says: “We have come a long way since 2004 and with only a month to go before the Confeds Cup.” Jordaan says he hopes that ticket sales will improve and that Bafana Bafana, will do well in the tournament.

The high levels of crime have always been a concern, but the long arm of the law is geared for both events. Deputy Police Commissioner Andre Pruis says: “South Africa's track record speaks for itself, in recent weeks they had incident free elections, incident free presidential inauguration, and also the current Indian Premier League cricket is also incident free."

Free State tested for its readiness
Meanwhile, the state of readiness of the Free State Province regarding the control of crowds during next month’s Confederations Cup was put to the test when simulation exercises were conducted at the Vodacom Park Stadium in Bloemfontein. The training division of the South African Police Services (SAPS) conducted the simulation exercises inside and outside the stadium in the run-up to the tournament.

About 200 soccer fans were used in the simulation exercises to test the ability of trained police officers in crowd management techniques, such as handling hooliganism and violent incidents. The "unruly" supporters arrived by bus and the police then searched them. The crow then became unruly and the police intervened to control the situation. Another team of police officers then took over inside the stadium to make sure that fans were properly seated.

Meanwhile the VWV Consortium consultants for the Beijing Olympics opening and closing ceremonies will be responsible for the Confederations Cup ceremonies. The teams are expected to arrive in the country at the end of this month.

Source: http://www.sabcnews.com/

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