Puma setting its sights on Africa

As Africa gears to host its first World Cup, Puma is also setting its sights on the continent. With partnerships with national teams, using sub-Saharan cotton and dyes, the equipment and clothing manufacturer is relying on the event to consolidate its position locally. The German brand has therefore made it known that in the second half of 2009, 2% of its clothing lines will integrate cotton produced in Africa.
Plan ahead for your 2010 clothing needs.

Lawsuit over ‘fake’ memorabilia

Ryan Giggs and his Manchester United team mates during a training session in South Africa last year. Manchester United Limited, which manufactures trade marked United memorabilia, says there has been a major increase in fake goods in the build-up up to the 2010 World Cup.

On Tuesday it will apply for a default judgment in the Cape High Court against a local store accused of selling branded soccer clothing. The shop owner has denied the allegations, saying he will defend the action in court.
Photo: Project 2010

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Wind power project

South Africa’s state-run power utility Eskom plans to start operating wind turbines this year to boost the supply of electricity. It’s a welcome relief for organisers of the 2010 World Cup who have come under fire following rolling blackouts around the country last year. Eskom spokesperson Fani Zulu on Monday confirmed that 50 wind turbines will be erected over the next 12 months. Eskom, FIFA and the 2010 LOC have also established contingency plans to ensure that the tournament will not be affected. This includes the construction of ’pocket’ power stations at each stadium which will supply electricity 24 hours before each match to ensure that any power disruptions to the national grid will not impact on the tournament.
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Service with a smile

More than 280 metered taxi drivers have been trained in Cape Town. Transport Department spokesman Aniela Gella on Wednesday said the training would ensure an improved public transport service during the 2010 World Cup and beyond. The programme was customised for the drivers to become 2010 tour guides. The four-month training module which also comprised practical skills needed to ensure the safety and comfort of tourists, was approved by the tourism, hospitality and sport education and training authority.
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Summit to promote post-2010 benefits

The upcoming Tourism Investor Summit aims to capitalise on the 2010 World Cup by attracting major sporting event bids between over the next decade. Africa Investor which is hosting the event on 27 February says the World Cup will pave the way for Africa to host major events that will promote international tourism investment. The summit will also focus on leveraging 2010 legacy projects for shareholder returns. ‘We welcome the approach SA is taking to ensure the 2010 World Cup benefits the rest of the continent and we are happy to support that goal. We expect a commercially and logistically successful 2010 and believe tourism and economic development will pass to other African,’ said Hubert Danso, Vice Chairman of Africa investor.

For more information visit:
http://www.africa-investor.com/
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Major World Cup tenders rejected

The city of Cape Town has rejected three tender bids by prospective operators for its
68 000-seater World Cup stadium in Greenpoint. ‘The bid evaluation committee came to the conclusion that none of the bids meet the city's require-ments and recommends that the bid not be awarded and be re-advertised,’ the city said in a statement. The tender is for the operation of the stadium and a multi-purpose 90-hectare theme park on the site. Among the heavyweights who had submitted tenders was Investec Bank which provided the city with R185m in bridging finance to assist with the construction of the R2.5 billion stadium which will host a 2010 semi-final. The consortium includes Venfin Media Investments, Western Province Rugby Union and the SAIL group.

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Fifa heavy weights monitor progress

The Board of Directors of the 2010 Organising Committee South Africa which met in Johannesburg yesterday, have once again expressed confidence in the country’s World Cup preparations, saying the past month has been ‘particularly good’.

Fifa General Secretary Jerome Valcke who attended the meeting, said that ‘as always’ stadium construction was an important issue which is being closely monitored, but stressed: ‘We at Fifa are confident that we are on track and that we are going the right way.’ The committee’s operational budget for the next financial year was approved at the meeting. There were also discussions on the official 2010 Fifa World Cup poster, which will be unveiled during the Preliminary Draw in Durban on November 25.

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