Thohoyandou community share in 2010 fever

Monday, October 5, 2009

Thohoyandou - The promise of what the 2010 FIFA World Cup will bring South Africa became a reality for the Thohoyandou community when they recieved a new artificial football pitch.

On Sunday, First National Bank (FNB), as an official national supporter of the world cup, launched its third artificial football pitch at the Makwarela Stadium.

The venue was officially opened by newly elected President of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Kirsten Nematandani.

Nematandani commended FNB for their contribution to the world cup, adding that the banking group was committed to helping South Africa shine in 2010.

"As the Organising Committee, we are grateful to the bank for all its initiatives to not only make the tournament a success but make sure that South Africans will have access to this global showcase."

One of the major objectives is for the 2010 FIFA World Cup to leave a lasting legacy of world-class sporting infrastructure in South Africa.

The FNB Makwarela Stadium ensures that people living in Thohoyandou will be able to experience soccer first hand on this pitch.

According to Chief Executive Officer of FNB Public Sector Banking, Elizabeth Maepa, the FNB artificial pitches programme has a sustainability model that ensures optimal use of these facilities through staging community activities.

These include games between soccer clubs and schools, company sport days, sport legends coaching clinics, talent identification and coaching.

The FNB Makwarela Stadium in Thohoyandou is the third FIFA 2-star football field in Africa. In 2008, FNB launched the first artificial pitch in Pietermaritzburg, followed by Umtata.