Moving the Indian Premier League (IPL) extravaganza to South Africa will help create a silver lining to the grey economic clouds hovering above the country.
Moving the Indian Premier League (IPL) extravaganza to South Africa will help create a silver lining to the grey economic clouds hovering above the country.
South African economists speculate that the IPL glitz-and-glamour show, British and Irish Lions rugby tour and Fifa Confederations Cup tournament could provide a R1,8billion revenue boost come early July.
"These sporting events will help the country a great deal, especially with growth. Hopefully, they will help relieve some of the current economic pressures," economist Mike Schussler told The Star newspaper.
South Africans are feeling the financial pinch, but not so much that they have to abandon watching their favourite sport with tickets for the two IPL double-headers in Cape Town this weekend sold out in two hours.
And any tourism fall-off suffered by the Mother City will be more than compensated for when the IPL hits town ready to splash the cash.
One and Only, a five-star made-for-celebs hotel opened just two weeks, is a hive of activity and Cape Town will be just the first of many South African cities to benefit from the five-week, 59-match tournament.
Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke, who recently complained about the lack of Confederations Cup publicity ahead of the June 14-28 dress rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup, would surely approve of the hype, IPL-style.
"The heat is on," scream full-page newspaper advertisements, bringing revenue to a local industry hard hit by the global financial crisis, and every night public and pay television viewers are treated to humorous IPL promotions.
No South African is happier than football official Danny Jordaan at the decision to select South Africa ahead of England as the temporary "home" of a show likely to woo many converts to the shortened game.
A key figure in the winning World Cup bid team, Jordaan has spent countless hours fending off criticism from foreign media about the readiness of South Africa to stage the football showcase.
"Moving this tournament, with its considerable financial implications and huge global television audience, to South Africa in such a short space of time is yet another major indication of world confidence in us," said Joordan.
"Some of the biggest cricket stars in the world will be here showcasing again the world-class facilities of our country and love for high-quality entertainment." - Sapa-AF
IPL cash cow for Mzansi
Moving the Indian Premier League (IPL) extravaganza to South Africa will help create a silver lining to the grey economic clouds hovering above the country.
Moving the Indian Premier League (IPL) extravaganza to South Africa will help create a silver lining to the grey economic clouds hovering above the country.
South African economists speculate that the IPL glitz-and-glamour show, British and Irish Lions rugby tour and Fifa Confederations Cup tournament could provide a R1,8billion revenue boost come early July.
"These sporting events will help the country a great deal, especially with growth. Hopefully, they will help relieve some of the current economic pressures," economist Mike Schussler told The Star newspaper.
South Africans are feeling the financial pinch, but not so much that they have to abandon watching their favourite sport with tickets for the two IPL double-headers in Cape Town this weekend sold out in two hours.
And any tourism fall-off suffered by the Mother City will be more than compensated for when the IPL hits town ready to splash the cash.
One and Only, a five-star made-for-celebs hotel opened just two weeks, is a hive of activity and Cape Town will be just the first of many South African cities to benefit from the five-week, 59-match tournament.
Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke, who recently complained about the lack of Confederations Cup publicity ahead of the June 14-28 dress rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup, would surely approve of the hype, IPL-style.
"The heat is on," scream full-page newspaper advertisements, bringing revenue to a local industry hard hit by the global financial crisis, and every night public and pay television viewers are treated to humorous IPL promotions.
No South African is happier than football official Danny Jordaan at the decision to select South Africa ahead of England as the temporary "home" of a show likely to woo many converts to the shortened game.
A key figure in the winning World Cup bid team, Jordaan has spent countless hours fending off criticism from foreign media about the readiness of South Africa to stage the football showcase.
"Moving this tournament, with its considerable financial implications and huge global television audience, to South Africa in such a short space of time is yet another major indication of world confidence in us," said Joordan.
"Some of the biggest cricket stars in the world will be here showcasing again the world-class facilities of our country and love for high-quality entertainment." - Sapa-AF
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