KZN needs R1bn for 2010

KWAZULU Natal’s MEC for Sports and Recreation, Amichand Rajbansi said in his budget speech on July 28 that the province would need at least R1bn to effectively host some of the games to be played in KwaZulu Natal during the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Rajbansi said 2010 holds great potential for the province and BuaNews quotes the MEC as saying: “We need to develop the capacity of our administrators, coaches, technical officials, facility officials and volunteers who will be able to offer valuable services during the games to be played in KwaZulu Natal.” Rajbansi said that his department plans to work closely with other departments and stakeholders in the run up to 2010 and to this end a committee will be set up to prepare the province for the events of the World Cup. The committee will be lead by Rajbansi and members include MEC Safety and Security and Transport Bheki Cele; Finance and Economic Development MEC Mike Mabuyakhula; and MEC for Arts, Culture and Tourism Narend Singh. (Darren Sandras)