Construction of Cape Town's 2010 World Cup stadium gets under way
CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Construction began Tuesday on the stadium to
be used for a 2010 World Cup semifinal with a ceremony that included a
blessing by religious representatives.
Ground for the 68,000-seat Green Point Stadium was broken by Mayor Helen
Zille and Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool. FIFA's deadline for completion
is October 2009.
Approval for construction was held up by residents who questioned the
wisdom and positioning of the stadium. Zille also sought financial guarantees
to cover potential cost overruns.
Rasool said the Western Cape hoped that the $392 million stadium would
act as the "cheese in the trap" to lure at least $946 million
investment in public transport.
"This sod-turning ceremony is an important milestone for the delivery
of the World Cup in our country," said Danny Jordaan, chairman of
the South African World Cup organizers.
Johannesburg will host the opening match and the final, and Durban will
host the other semifinal. The other venues are Bloemfontein, Nelspruit,
Polokwane, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria and Rustenberg.
,
March 20, 2007.
Russian ladies dream about happy marriage.
Click on a photo...
