2010 ticketing rand-dollar exchange set at R7

“One of the major decisions that we took today was that of ticketing.

“The decision is that the face value of the [category four] tickets will be $20 and we have agreed as the [LOC] board that with regard to the exchange rate that regardless of what happens in the Confederations Cup, the rate will be fixed at R7 to the dollar.

“People must know that in that point in time, if the exchange rate is R8 or R10 [to the dollar], its hard luck to the LOC,” said Dr Khoza.

The board meeting on Tuesday focussed on the need for the marketing and promotion of next years Confederations Cup, and not only for the spotlight to fall on the World Cup in 2010.

“The Confederations Cup needs to be promoted [not only in South Africa but overseas as well], while the world cup is naturally promoted by all the matches played around the world to qualify for the world cup,” said Valcke.

Reason for freeze

Answering questions on why the LOC decided to freeze the exchange rate for the category four tickets at R7 to the dollar, Dr Khoza told media: “One of the motivating factors was to make sure we protect the South African residents.

“You must understand that the money for the stadiums comes out of the taxpayer's money.

“So it is very important that we set a price that will be reasonable for the people of this country. So if it [the exchange rate] were to fluctuate, it might prejudice the people in 2010.

“So it was mainly to protect the people of the country,” said Dr Khoza.

With regard to the present form of the national squad Bafana Bafana, Dr Khoza said football was a game of opinions.

“France failed to qualify for the world cup before they hosted it [in 1998], and England failed to qualify for the 2008 Euro.

“What we must do, and what we are starting to do in the Premier Soccer League [PSL] sides is spend money on the scientific side of the game, because football is not driven by talent alone,” said Dr Khoza.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews