SA's First 2010 Fan Park Gets the Party Started

Less than three years before the first whistle blows for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the country's first Fan Park is hosting a party

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport on Wednesday said it was proud to be hosting South Africa's first-ever Fan Park event in Plettenberg Bay on Saturday, 28 April.

The Fan Parks, which were pioneered at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, are areas near a match venue with big screens showing the game in much greater detail than even the best stadium seat can provide.
"We have targeted the Soweto derby between the traditional rivals and powerhouses of South African football, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. This is the pilot project for many more fan parks leading up to the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa.," said Sport MEC Whitey Jacobs.
"We have targeted this match as a dry run so that we could have sufficient time to perfect a typical fan park. We view this project as a learning curve for us."
The parks allow thousands of fans who are unable to secure one of the of 3 million tickets expected to go on sale for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity in a party atmosphere with other dedicated fans outside the stadia.
This Fan Park is part of the Provincial Government's strategy to deliver 2010 matches to all the communities of the Western Cape.
MEC Jacobs said the Fan Park did not only create and capture the same exciting atmosphere of the "live" situation; it also provided business people with lots of opportunities to reap the economic benefits of a major sporting event.
"We want to use the fan parks to boost the profile of football in the Western Cape.
"In this regard, four of the Western Cape's recently named Football Ambassadors, including former Bafana Bafana captain, Thabo Mngomeni and ex-Banyana Banyana skipper Desiree Ellis will be on duty in Plettenberg Bay on Saturday," Mr Jacobs said.
They, along with two former South African internationals, Reggie Jantjies and David Byrne will also conduct a coaching clinic before the match.
"We are indeed thrilled for this project and hope to learn and improve as we move full steam ahead in our preparations for 2010."
The MEC said the Fan Park had the full support of the Bitou Municipality, the South African Football Association and other municipalities in the region.
"We expect to attract at least 10 000 fans to come and experience the festive mood and watch the match on a big screen at the Plettenberg Bay Rugby club grounds.
"A Coca Cola pop star and rising star of the music industry, Thembisile will keep the crowd entertained before the match," said the MEC.
South Africa will host 2010 FIFA World Cup games at ten stadia in nine cities, in what is billed to be the best FIFA World Cup ever. (Source:BuaNews)
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