The FIFA Soccer world cup draw was held on the 4^th of December 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa. Now we know who will play who in each group. Many soccer visitors waited for the draw to find out where their teams will play.

According to FIFA and some other sources there will be bed shortages in Gauteng, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, Nelspruit and Rustenburg.

Next year thousands of foreign visitors could find themselves without a bed.

The Bloemfontein shortage was mentioned yet again. This is an ideal opportunity for owners of Private homes, Villas, Lodges and B&B’s to make extra money during the Soccer World Cup.

DirectPropertySA offers you the opportunity to advertise your available accommodation.

It is less than eight months to go before the 2010 World Cup and Bafana Bafana is without a coach.

The South African Football Association has to appoint a successor to Joel Santana the Brazilian who stepped down as Bafana Bafana head coach this week.

Coaches who are standing in line for this position are the former Bafana head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, SuperSport Uniteds Gavin Hunt and Gordon Igesund of Maritzburg United.

The wait is over Carlos Alberto Parreira has been appointed as the New Bafana head coach for South Africa.

With hordes of fans coming to the World Cup, there’s room to cash in

Official research showed that on some nights, Gauteng would be 65000 beds short, while there would be a shortfall of about 15000 beds in Port Elizabeth, 14000 in Bloemfontein, 13000 in Nelspruit, and 5000 in Rustenburg

Confed Cup Special Report

Thousands of foreign visitors to the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa could find themselves without a bed. With less than 360 days to kick-off, just 40000 out of a target of more than 55000 rooms have been secured.

The shortage of available beds in most match-playing centres has forced Fifa, the international football governing body, to drop its insistence that all World Cup accommodation carry official SA Tourism grading.

Now owners of ordinary, non-graded houses and flats across the country, from Bellville to Knysna and Nelspruit to Um-hlanga, look set to pocket between R1000 and R25000 a day letting their properties to overseas guests.

Although there are more than 92000 beds available in graded accommodation, from self-catering units to hotel chains, many have refused to sign over their properties to Fifa’s accommodation contractors, Match Event Services. They claim the contract requirements are too stringent.

Recently, Jaime Byrom, executive chairman of Match Event Services, acknowledged that the shortage of accommodation had forced Fifa “to think outside the box”.

The mad scramble to source more beds for the tournament, tipped to attract between 400000 and 800000 foreigners, has already seen:

Match sourcing about 6000 rooms as far afield as Botswana, Swaziland, Mozambique, Namibia and Mauritius;

Match signing up more than 5000 rooms in non-graded guesthouses, university hostels, timeshare accommodation and private game lodges; and

Preparations for international cruise liners to anchor off the coastline and serve as floating hotels.

“It’s all part of the accommodation solution for 2010,” Byrom said recently.

Yesterday, Match Event Services spokesman Delia Fischer said they had signed up about 40000 rooms.

One of the country’s biggest estate agencies has jumped on board to help tackle the accommodation crisis.

A joint venture between a local property group and soccer legend Gary Bailey is signing up scores of homeowners across South Africa.

Samuel Seeff said the venture had “drawn a favourable response” from the 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC) and Match.

“We have approached people within the LOC and Match and also checked with lawyers protecting Fifa’s rights. Everyone is comfortable and has encouraged what we are doing.

“They understand the problem we are trying to address and appreciate the efforts we are making,” he said.

Bailey said SA Tourism statistics showed that on some nights Gauteng would be 65000 beds short, while there would be a shortfall of about 15000 beds in Port Elizabeth, 14000 in Bloemfontein, 13000 in Nelspruit and 5000 in Rustenberg.

In Durban and Cape Town, said Bailey, a minimum of about 21900 and 32900 beds were needed per match respectively.

A spokesman for the Department of Tourism, Ronel Bester, said: “We are confident that homeowners and entrepreneurs will open their homes to visitors and seize the associated business opportunities.”

A homeowner in Cape Town’s Camps Bay has concluded a R13000 a day deal for her six-bedroom home during the tournament. Brenda Liltved said an Irish tourist had recently walked into Seeff’s offices in Camps Bay asking for a large home to rent for the World Cup.

“He was brought to my home … and the minute he walked in, he told the agent that he didn’t want to see anything else. He didn’t even negotiate the asking daily rental and just signed for the house,” she said.

Liltved said rentals of between R13000 and R20000 a day were unheard of during the winter months on Cape Town’s Atlantic seaboard, which includes Camps Bay, Bantry Bay, Clifton, Fresnaye and Llandudno. Liltved plans to take her family on an overseas holiday, “somewhere warm”, during the World Cup.

Ian Slot said some homeowners were throwing in a full butler service and their luxury 4×4s and sedans.

Bailey estimates that accommodation could generate about R1-billion during the World Cup.

source: Sunday Times

Do you want to rent your Private Home during the Soccer World Cup?

Have a look at out suggested price matrix

Soccer World Cup Accommodation shortage

Fifa needs 200 000 beds

2009/09/03 12:08:00 PM Vida Booysen

Bloemfontein – As things stand, 2010 World Cup tourists travelling from all over the world may end up wandering the streets of Johannesburg looking for a place to sleep, said Danny Jordaan, head of the 2010 Fifa World Cup Local Organising Committee.

Speaking at the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut’s national congress in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, Jordaan responded to the local tourism industry’s reservations about registering with Match, Fifa’s accommodation agent, aimed at providing accommodation for visitors to the 2010 Fifa World Cup soccer tournament.

“The challenge is this: If we sell two million of the three million tickets for this tournament overseas, we have to provide accommodation for each one of these ticket-holders. And we don’t have it yet,” Jordaan said.

He said it would be safer for visitors to finalise their accommodation before they arrive in South Africa.

But he is also willing to engage with providers of unregistered accommodation.

Jordaan said that South Africa still needs 200 000 beds to accommodate soccer tourists.

“Regardless of whether accommodation is rated or not, whether it’s accredited with Match or not, we must find 200 000 beds. If there is more accommodation available that we don’t know about, we would like to hear about it, because we need more beds.”

Referring to satellite accommodation for visitors in cities like Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth, Jordaan said it’s preferable to accommodate large numbers of visitors in the same area.

“But we know we won’t be able to do that in this country. We realise we will have to look further afield and that there are implications that have to be addressed.”

“The further away people sleep from the stadiums, the more transport we will need. There are also other challenges. The security network has to be expanded. Internet connections have to go further.”

“You can’t say to the visitors you have to stay in this town, but, sorry, there’s no internet. They won’t like that.” Jordaan challenged the hospitality industry to work with Fifa to find solutions to these problems.

<

- Sake24.com

Soccer Security South Africa

Is South Africa safe enough for the 2010 World Cup

Crime is always a concern at any event.  Tourists want to feel safe when they make bookings for accommodation in South Africa. One of the top priorities is security during the South African Soccer World Cup. The Minister of Police Mr. Nathi Mthethwa Tuesday sought to allay fears that the 2010 World Cup would be spoiled by crime.

He commented “South Africa has hosted over a hundred international events since democracy… each time there has been anxiety”.

“The message is we would welcome visitors again. The Confederations Cup was a success, even then there were skeptics, but we were ready to welcome visitors,” he said in response to a question posed by a representative of the British Embassy.

England has qualified to participate in the soccer spectacular next year. Concerns were raised over safety and security during the World Cup. The expected number of Britons to visit South Africa is 30 000.

[

Preparations from day one

Since the day South Africa won the bid to host the event, the country had been preparing for the event, he said.

"The department has worked in partnership with other government departments for the hosting of the successful Fifa Confederations Cup. "

"All required security measures were put in place to ensure effective safety during the hosting of this event. "

"The tournament further assisted in highlighting areas of our security plans that need further refinement ahead of the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup," Mthethwa said.

]  News24.com

Green Point Stadium, Cape Town

Soccer City – Johannesburg

Soccer City, most probably the most well known stadium for soccer in South Africa. Soccer City stadium will be hosting both the opening match and the final for the 2010 World Cup. Soccer City will host 4 more first-round matches, 1 second-round match and a quarter-finale.

The stadium is also known as the FNB Stadium (First National Bank Stadium) Built in 1987.

Soccer City has a capacity close to 95 000. The stadium is situated South-West of the city centre. On completion it will be by far the biggest stadium in Africa.

Ellis Park – Johannesburg

Ellis Park Stadium is a major football venue in South Africa. The stadium was built in 1992 with a capacity of 60 000 seats. It’s been upgraded to seat 70 000 spectators. This enabled Ellis Park to meet all requirements to be accepted as a semi-final match venue. The stadium is also known as the Coca Cola Park Stadium.

The stadium is situated East of Johannesburg City Centre. Other sports facilities in the area are the Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, the Standard Bank Arena and the Ellis Park swimming pool. Ellis Park stadium will host five group games, one second round game and one quarter final during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Tournament.

Green Point – Cape Town

The Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, Western Cape, will be upgraded to 70 000 spectators. The stadium will be built with a retractable roof. Green Point Stadium is within walking of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

The Green Point Stadium will host six first round games, one second round, one quarter final and one semi-final game during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Free State Stadium – Bloemfontein

The Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein was upgraded in advance of the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The stadium will be upgraded with a third tier to increase the capacity to 45 000.

The stadium is situated only a few minutes drive from proposed FIFA™ and team hotels. Ample parking is provided. The Free State Stadium will host five first round games and one second round game.

Moses Mabhida Stadium – Durban

The Mabhida Stadium is situated in Durban, KwaZulu Natal. The stadium is located adjacent the ABSA Stadium in the Kings Park Sporting grounds. The Mabhida Stadium is named after a hero of the working class. The stadium has a planned capacity of 70 000 seats.

The Mabhida Stadium will host five group games, one second round game, one quarter final and a semi-final game during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

This is an asset from which every resident will benefit. During this period accommodation will be a talking point. There are great opportunities for hotels, guesthouse and rental properties to accommodate the expected influx of soccer enthusiasts.

Mbombela Stadium – Nelspruit

The Mbombela Stadium was built just seven kilometres north of Nelspruit in Mpumalanga. The stadium has a capacity of 40 000 and was designed to be used beyond the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

The stadium will host both first round and second round games. Nelspruit is near the Kruger National Park and the closest airport is 12 kilometres away. The name Mbombela means ‘many people together in a small space’.

Peter Mokaba Stadium – Polokwane

The Peter Mokaba Stadium is situated in Polokwane (also known as Pietersburg) the capital of Limpopo, South Africa. Polokwane is part of the Northern Province.This World Cup Stadium is being built next to the old stadium. The Peter Mokaba Stadium is named after the late Peter Mokaba.

The Peter Mokaba Stadium has a capacity of 46 000. The stadium is part of the Peter Mokaba Sports Complex and will be a host of the 2010 FIFA™ World Cup. It currently serves as a football stadium and as an international athletics venue. The Stadium will host first round and second round games.

Nelson Mandela Stadium – Port Elizabeth

The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is situated in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, on South Africa’s south-east coastline. The Nelson Mandela Stadium will have a capacity of 49 000.

The stadium will host first round games, second round games and one quarter final game during the 2010 World Cup Tournament. The Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth is located two kilometres from the coast and will be offering a new headquarters for sport in the Eastern Cape.

Loftus Versveld Stadium – Pretoria

The Loftus Versveld Stadium is situated 2 kilometres from the city centre of Pretoria in the heart of the Pretoria/Tswane municipality. Pretoria is part of the greater Gauteng metropolitan area.

The Stadium is the home ground of the Sundowns Football Club, one of South Africa’s premiere professional clubs. Was named in memory of a leading sports administrator, Mr Loftus Versfeld. The Loftus Versveld Stadium has a capacity of 45 000 and will host first round games and second round games during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Royal Bafokeng Stadium – Rustenburg

Only minor renovations will be required to bring the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in line with requirements for a stadium able to host first and second round matches for the FIFA™ World Cup in 2010. (Seating capacity to be increased to just over 40,000).

The Royal Bafokeng Stadium is located in Rustenburg in the North West Province. The capacity of the stadium will be increased to 40 000. The Sadium will host four first round games and one second round game during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Tournament. Extensive parking facilities are provided.

South Africa, Cape Town, Table Mountain

Tug Of War World Championship 2010

The New Zealand Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Association, headed by Shihan Dennis May 8th Dan is an international body devoted to the teaching of traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate and is directly affiliated to the Okinawa Goju Ryu Karatedo Kyokai, O.G.K.K.

At the executive council meeting of the IGKA held in Chennei , it was decided that the 2nd World Cup will be hosted by Shihan Ludick in South Africa 2010.

SOUTH AFRICAN VISIT TO AUCKLAND
In Jan/Feb 2006, Sensei Rico and 4 other members visited Auckland, New Zealand to train with Sensei Dennis May. While in Auckland, they trained intensively for 2 weeks and on the final day of training, had a Dan Grading. Rico Ludick graded to 6th Dan, Leon Sutton to 5th Dan, Willem Potgieter to 4th Dan, Judy Stassen to 3rd Dan and Jean Pretorius to 2nd Dan.
Reference www.karatenz.com