Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

The national sports oversight committee said yesterday it would endorse Durban's bid to host the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup.

Cedric Frolic, an ANC whip and a member of the oversight committee, said the committee was "generally satisfied" with the construction work at Durban's King's Park Stadium.

Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has allocated R8,4billion for refurbishing stadiums that will be used in the 2010 World Cup.

Frolic said the committee wanted to make sure that the money would be well spent

"We want to see what progress has been made [on] the stadiums [for the World Cup].

"We are generally satisfied with what we have seen in Durban," Frolic said.

He said it appeared that eThekwini was "far ahead" when compared with other cities.

"They are at advanced stage, as the actual construction of their stadium is under way," he said.

Frolic said the committee was ready to approve the money allocated for the construction of the national stadiums.

"We are going to endorse in parliament Mayor Obed Mlaba's call for Durban to host the opening ceremony.

"We believe that other cities need to have exposure during the World Cup, not only Johannesburg.

Mlaba said the positive comments by the committee gave him hope that the city would host the opening ceremony.

"It would be good for the people of this province."

lThe committee's next stop on its tour of inspection will be Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. The committee will examine the metro's plans for fulfilling its 2010 role.