The South African Government released its 2010 FIFA World Cup ™ Mid-Term report today, full of confidence that it has established a solid foundation to successfully host the historic tournament. In its report Government indicated that R20 billion has thus far been allocated as a direct investment in infrastructure as part of the larger spending programme towards 2010. This amount represents R9.6 billion allocated to transport projects and R8.4 billion for the construction of World Cup stadium.
A further R1.5 billion is being provided for the International Broadcast Centre in Johannesburg and other aspects of the country's Information and Communications Technology infrastructure.
With 815 days to go to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, figures released today showed that tournament preparations are certainly making a significant economic impact on the country.
With stadiums being built, roads and airports being significantly upgraded and a world-class R25 billion high-speed 80-kilometer rapid rail transport link between Johannesburg and the country's capital Tshwane under construction, South Africa has become a hive of frenetic activity as it prepares to host Africa's first FIFA World Cup. To date, Government reported that 20 200 jobs have been created on the construction sites of the five new stadiums being built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the major upgrade of the Soccer City Stadium, which will host the tournament's opening match and final.
Government has thus far spent R1.2 billion of the budgeted spend of R10.5 billion on the new stadiums, projecting that the major 2010 World Cup-related construction projects will result in 170 000 direct and indirect jobs. Overall the support from national Government for 2010 projects will be upward of R30 billion, with all government departments responsible for FIFA guarantees having submitted plans and obtained allocations for areas such as safety and security, ports of entry, health, arts and culture and sports development etc.
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