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Nadine Mather and Chloë Loubser
OC happy with 2010 FIFA World Cup™ budget allocations
The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Organising Committee (OC) South Africa is happy that Government has constantly delivered on the guarantees it made to FIFA when South Africa was granted the right to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
In Finance Minister Trevor Manuel's 2009 budget, provision was made for a 2010 FIFA World Cup stadiums development grant and a 2010 FIFA World Cup host city operating grant.
The purpose of the stadiums development grant is to provide funding for the design and construction of the ten 2010 FIFA World Cup stadiums. The grant has been allocated R1.9 billion for 2009/10 and 2010/11.
“Last year our budget shortfall for stadiums was R3.2 billion of which R1.4 billion was contained in the mid-term budget review in October. We therefore welcome today's announcement that a further R1.9 billion will be allocated for the construction of the ten stadiums,” said OC Chief Executive Officer Dr Danny Jordaan.
The budget also made provision for a new grant, the 2010 FIFA World Cup host city operating grant, aimed at assisting cities with the hosting of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The grant has been allocated R508 million in 2009/10 and R210 million in 2010/11.
“Because of foreign exchange fluctuations and the global economic downturn, these grants will significantly strengthen our preparations. The Finance Minister's announcements mean that we will be able to deliver on all our obligations and host the best FIFA World Cup ever,” added Jordaan.
Government's commitment to make additional policing capacity available during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and to increase safety and security presence at border posts was reiterated in Finance Minister Trevor Manuel's 2009 budget speech.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) will spend R640 million on the deployment of 41 000 officers specifically for the event and R665 million on the procurement of special equipment.
The SAPS is also making steady progress in its recruitment drive; with police numbers at 173 241 at the end of March 2008, the police are well on track to have a personnel complement of 190 000 by the FIFA World Cup.
With these budget allocations and grants the OC is confident that South Africa is in a strong position to deliver on all its FIFA commitments in 2009 and 2010.
