2010-06-11: Opening of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Print E-mail
THE City of Johannesburg hosted the opening of the 2010 Fifa World Cup and the world in a magnificent way today with the event far exceeding fans’ expectations.
“The opening ceremony was breathtaking and Johannesburg pulled out all the stops to make this event a marvelous and memorable occasion for the world,” said Executive Director of the City’s 2010 office, Sibongile Mazibuko.
The City’s public transport plans ensured swift transfers of fans to and from the stadium with praise for the Bus Rapid Transit system which impressed fans who made use of it.
The Soccer City calabash was filled to more than 90% capacity by the time the impressive opening ceremony began at 2pm with eager fans arriving at the stadium in a steady stream from 8am onwards.
Gates opened shortly after 10am and the sound of vuvuzelas reached a crescendo pitch when Bafana Bafana entered the pitch for their pre-match warm-up.
Heavy traffic congestion was experienced by fans who traveled from Sandton to Soccer City with reports that the commute took some fans up to four hours. “We urge fans to make use of the public transport the City has put in place rather than battle to reach games by driving their cars to the Stadiums,” Mazibuko said.
“Our public transport system has been put to the test and is highly adequate to accommodate the volume of football fans in Johannesburg,” she added, but she cautioned drivers to make better use of the transport the City has laid on for the World Cup to avoid future frustration.
The traffic situation in Sandton was compounded since many companies gave their staff time off on Friday to enjoy the festivities.
All park and ride and park and walk facilities were well utlilised to near capacity in most instances.
The Johannesburg Metro Police (JMPD) encountered many vehicles trying to enter the traffic free zone area without having proper vehicle access passes. They were turned around. Fans without permits and park and ride or park and walk tickets were urged to take public transport in coming matches and not attempt to ambush the traffic free zones. Vehicles that were turned back inconvenienced those who had the proper permits to enter the traffic free zones.
Innes Free Park in Sandton was full to capacity at 35 000 fans, however, eager fans broached the fence in one place to gain access. Director of Operations for the City, Christa Venter, said the City and Provincial officials would deploy additional manpower at the Fan Fest perimeters.
No injuries were reported. Elkah Stadium was also running at full capacity while City Parks’ MTN Ekhasi TV sites reported high attendances.
At Mary Fitzgerald Square 15 000 fans gathered for the opening match. Only one injury was noted by 8pm where a fan was reportedly intoxicated and had refused medical treatment from paramedics from the City’s Emergency Management Service and the Provincial EMS service.
“To avoid possible injuries we urge fans to exercise some restraint in their consumption of alcohol while watching the matches at the Fan Fests and Public viewing sites,” Mazibuko said.
By 8pm many of the fans had left the Fan Fests to watch the Cape Town match elsewhere.
Fore more details contact:
Sibongile Mazibuko
082-467-9235