Ambassador Confident IPL, Confederations Cup Will Prepare SA Security for World Cup

Its current experience hosting the Indian Premier League cricket tournament and the Confederations Cup will be sufficient practice for South Africa to maintain security during the World Cup, according to the country's US ambassador.

South Africa's US ambassador Welile Nhlapo said on Monday that past cricket and Rugby World Cup successes together with the ongoing cricket matches moved from India for security reasons will allow for greater testing of security measures.

"These events will give us the chance to deal with all sorts of situations, give us time to correct anything that might be needed and provide a secure World Cup," Nhlapo said. "By the time we host we will be ready."

Source:
IPL boosts SA confidence for World Cup
Mail & Guardian
April 28, 2009

Cricket Match a Test Run for Tournament Parking and Security Rules

A cricket match this week at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria will act as a practice run for the upcoming Confederations Cup, with organizers implementing security and parking rules similar to what will happen during the June tournament, and during next year's World Cup.

Loftus will implement the "World Cup security system" on Thursday. No parking will be allowed at the stadium and surrounding areas and fans are urged to arrive early to avoid a delayed kick-off.

Shuttle buses won't be provided for fans to get to the stadium but Park and Schoeman streets can be used for parking.

The area around Loftus will be cordoned off to ensure everything runs smoothly. This system will be used to test readiness for the Confederations Cup and the World Cup.

European countries such as England, Italy, Germany and Spain have been employing this system for many years.

Source:
Key Loftus clash will be a test run
Pretoria News via Independent Online
April 22, 2009

IPL to Serve as Extra Trial Run

When South Africa hosts the Indian Premier League cricket tournament, it will be one more chance to prove the country's readiness for the World Cup, according to security officials.

"We are ready for both the IPL and the Confederations Cup," said Susan Shabangu, Deputy Minister of Safety and Security.

"In fact, we see the IPL and the Confederations Cup as part of our dry run in preparation for the 2010 World Cup.

"If you talk about a dry run, that's where you want to flex your muscles and see to what extent you are ready for the big event."

Source:
Cricket test for 2010 World Cup
BBC
April 17, 2009

Cricket Spurs Excitement, But What About 2010?

As South Africa plays temporary host to the Indian Premier League cricket tournament, some in the country are concerned that the huge crowds and high ticket sales for the event are indicators that the World Cup's Local Organizing Committee isn't doing enough to market the 2010 tournament.

Yesterday, the streets of Cape Town were lined by cheering crowds as a string of red buses paraded the IPL’s star cricketers amid the kind of hype usually reserved for World Cup victories.

The event, shown live to the nation on TV, took place just three short weeks after South Africa agreed to host the tournament. Tickets are selling like hot cakes and tens of thousands of South Africans are expected to pack the stadiums for Saturday’s opening games.

You would think that cricket, and not football, was South Africa’s number one sport.

The LOC protests that it is indeed marketing the World Cup, but the truth is that there is no hype worth writing home about.

Source:
2010 World Cup marketing hype just isn’t cricket
The Times
April 17, 2009

South Africa Chosen as Safe Alternative for Indian Cricket Tournament

Amid concerns over crime and attacks related to the country's upcoming elections, the 2009 Indian Premier League will move out of India and take place in South Africa. The tournament is set to begin in April, and South Africa was chosen as the neutral-ground host over England, bolstering the country's credibility as an able host for major international events.

"This is a great compliment to both CSA and our nation to be shown this confidence in our ability to hold one of the world's top sporting events at short notice," said Cricket South Africa's CEO, Gerald Majola.

The tournament will feature 59 matches from 18 April 2009, and fixtures will be announced in due course.

The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) in India announced Sunday that it was shifting the Indian Premier League (IPL) out of the country because the tournament would coincide with general elections.

There were also concerns about a recent attack on a Sri Lankan cricket team in neighboring Pakistan, as well as a lingering sentiment about the November terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

Source:
South Africa will host IPL Twenty20 cricket
CNN
Match 24, 2009