There can be no obfuscating the fact that Emirates Airline Park (formerly Ellis Park) gets a bad rap from the rest of the country.
Although the precinct in which the famous stadium is situated is well tended and painstakingly looked after by the Lions Rugby Company, travelling to the iconic cauldron can be hair-raising.
The term “crime and grime” has been bandied about, and it is for this reason that the Gauteng provincial government has begun to implement steps to arrest the decline of not only Ellis Park, but all major sporting venues in the province. Speaking yesterday at the MTN Pearl of Partnership event – which hosted a gaggle of Springboks, including Thomas du Toit, Grant Williams, Salmaan Moerat, Lukhanyo Am and Jaden Hendrikse – Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC Matome Chiloane revealed that the provincial government will inject R300 million more into the development of sporting codes at school level, while also endeavouring to make the economic hub of SA the go-to destination for major sporting events.
“We are expecting major competitions, and we want to keep them in Gauteng,” said Chiloane.
“We have two football teams playing a final outside Gauteng,” he said, referring to last season’s MTN8 final between the Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns in Durban, “and it was one of the things that we looked at, and we decided that we need to do more ...
“We have met PSL chief Dr Irvin Khoza, and we have agreed in principle how we are going to work forward.
“We are also meeting the rugby leadership and all the major sporting codes’ leadership, so that major events continue to come here.
“If a major sporting event comes to South Africa, it must start in Gauteng, and then go to the rest of the country.”
Chiloane also revealed that the provincial government will be taking over a number of stadiums in the province, to ease the burden on municipalities with the upkeep and maintenance.
“We handed them (stadiums) over after the World Cup to the municipalities for maintenance, and have identified up to 27, which we will be taking over. More importantly,” he added, “is the social infrastructure.
“We have identified schools ... we are going to revamp their sporting facilities. We have started with about 80 schools in this current financial year.”
Tomorrow, Emirates Airline Park will hang up the sold-out signs when the world champion Boks host the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship (5pm kickoff). In an effort to ensure the safety of supporters, and the ease of movement to and from the stadium, the Gautrain will offer train and bus services before and after the game. Security has also been improved, while a major clean-up has swept through the precinct.
Chiloane said: “Transport has come forth with trains, and with security, we have beefed up that area. It has been set up on a 24-hour basis going forward, and we have cleaned up around the stadium. What I can tell you is this stadium is going to go back to what it used to be like during the Soccer World Cup.”
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus added to the “gees” in an inspirational video on the team’s X account this week.
“We are fortunate. Other countries don’t have Bok Friday. Other countries don’t have people wearing jerseys to school. Other countries don’t have competitions between schools, who can send the best footage or video clip to the Springboks. Other countries don’t get to malls together – Tygervalley Mall was packed, Century City was packed.
Our people make a plan. I don’t think any other country in the world has that luxury of people pulling together for one team like we have.”
Chiloane predicted a famous Bok win on Saturday: “I just want them to get an extra point, but a win is good enough for us.”
Cape Times