Just days to go

2010 deadline draws near

There is less than one week to go before the last window of opportunity closes on Richards Bay’s hopes of being named a 2010 World Cup base camp.‘This is it. The last follow-up letter to corporates and other potential sponsors has gone out,’ said local 2010 co-ordinator, uThungulu District’s Deputy Municipal Manager - Danie Lubbe.‘February 3 is the last possible date for tenders to be issued in order for construction to be completed by the due date.‘We still require R8.5-million to complete the phase that will make us 2010-compliant, the bulk of which is for the installation of floodlights, while the balance is for equipment.’ Late interest has been shown by two possible sponsors and urgent negotiations are in progress. ‘But we can’t count on this, especially with the time constraints, and I am hoping that we will hear positively from the industries we approached at the end of last year,’ said Lubbe.‘If the money is not here by 3 February, construction will be called off and we can forget any thoughts of being an active part of the World Cup.’

Nigeria coming
Meanwhile, African powerhouse Nigeria is set to spend three weeks training in Richards Bay prior to the official arrival of World Cup teams. Accommodation has been provisionally booked at the 4-star Protea Waterfront Hotel. Nigeria will check out on 5 June, then move on to their official base camp at Zimbali. While in Zululand, they will be looking for teams to play warm-up matches. Among these could be PSL outfit Amazulu, who are due for a scouting trip to the Veldenvlei multisports stadium. ‘They will be visiting to acquaint themselves with our facilities,’ said Lubbe. ‘There is speculation of them playing some home fixtures here and opening an academy to broaden their talent pool.’

Local aid
Arrangements are also being made to formalise the ‘Zululanders for 2010’ donation scheme prompted by local engineer, Bert Kirsten. He set the ball rolling by donating R2 000 towards uThungulu’s 2010 efforts, challenging others - including businesses - to also contribute. ‘Every bit helps and we would earmark such donations for the equipment needed such as goalposts,’ said Lubbe. A trust fund has been opened and donations will be accepted at any branch of Truter, James and De Ridder.

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