MEMBER: MR S H Plaatjie
PARTY: COPE-NW
HOUSE: NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
TYPE: WRITTEN REPLY
MINISTRY: SPORT AND RECREATION SA
QUESTION: 249 (Question Paper No 12 â 2012)
249. Mr S H Plaatjie (COPE-NW) to ask the Minister of Sport and
Recreation:
Whether the preparations by the Local Organising Committee for the
2013 Africa Cup of Nations Soccer Tournament is satisfactory; if not,
what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant
details?
CW345E
REPLY: We believe the planning and preparations for the AFCON 2013 are on
track
Since the Cabinet announced on the 03 May 2012 its support for AFCON 2013
Championship, we can report that planning for the tournament started in
earnest. Government Structures and Committees have been established to
support the preparations for the successful hosting of the AFCON 2013
Championship which includes the establishment of the Inter Ministerial
Committee and the appointment of the AFCON 2013 LOC Board.
Both the Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) and the AFCON 2013 LOC Board are
tasked with the following responsibilities:
⪠To provide oversight and strategic support
⪠Planning and implementation of Government Guarantees.
The LOC Board composes of the following:
⪠13 Members from the South African Football Association
⪠7 Ministers who are members of the IMC
⪠7 Representatives from business and civil society.
⪠CEO of the AFCON 2013 LOC
Government Guarantees are now finalised and all relevant departments will
sign on their deliverables as expected in the agreement signed between CAF
and SAFA. A ceremonial signing ceremony will be hosted just before the
Final Draw in October 2012 which will be a demonstration of the South
African Governmentâs commitment to making the Africa Cup of Nations
Championship 2013 a success.
The National Treasury has facilitated a budget alignment processes for the
Official Host Cities. The finalization of Host City Budgets and AFCON 2013
LOC budgets are expected by end of July 2012 which will allow for all
stakeholders involved focusing on their plans and preparations for the
tournament that will commence in January 2013.
Sport and Recreation South Africa with the Department of Basic Education
will be launching a schools competition for the design of the Sport Mascot
which will be unveiled for AFCON 2013 tournament. This Mascot will remain
an asset of the department of sport which will be used in future national
and International Sport Tournaments and Championships.
The AFCON LOC has completed three stages of venue inspectionsâ, training
cites and the venue for the Final Draw which takes place in October 2012 in
Durban. They are currently aligning the event logo, look and feel for the
Host Cities to have their event identity, and this will be unveiled in due
course.
Finances remains a challenge for the AFCON LOC as their main source of
funding is from Government and CAF. They will receive CAF contribution
after they have finalised their sale of Broadcast rights across the world.
They are however expected to deliver a successful event in 2013.