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PREPARING SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE WORLD |
Last week's Premier Soccer League fixture between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns was billed as a key test for the 2010 Local Organising Committee to implement security and ticketing measures ahead of the Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup. However, there were some glitches. Project 2010 spoke to Kjetil Siem, CEO of the PSL...  There was a lot of interest in this match, particularly because it was played at Ellis Park where the final of the Confederations Cup will be played in just three months. There were problems with the colour-coded seating system and a pitch invasion. Can you address these? Well this was not exactly a test case, but it is true that there was a lot of interest because it was a late match and a big match with 40 000 fans. Yes, there were security concerns especially with all the people - who were celebrating on the pitch….but they were not angry. This was not good, but the fences were missing because of the construction. Whether the match should have been played there, I'm not sure. What lessons? Well fans misused this opportunity….you need fencing to keep them off the field. As far as I could see, the security could have been more active…their presence should have been felt. Nearly a decade has passed since the tragedy at Ellis Park when 43 people died during an Orlando Pirates/Kaizer Chiefs fixture. Do you think we have learnt our lesson…do you think our fans behave properly? Yes I do. I think we have fantastic soccer fans. Remember they are more focused on singing and dancing than on violence and aggressive behaviour which we should all appreciate. Outside the stadiums on match days, you see families who are divided by the teams they support, but they always behave and at the end of the day they are friends again. That is important. With the World Cup a little over a year away, what are your biggest concerns? I am concerned about the transport. I am particularly concerned about the thousands of fans trying to get from city to city to follow their teams. This is not easy. I think it helps to have the teams playing in the same region. At the end of the group, two go home and two move on. Do you have any concerns about hooliganism, particularly with regards to European visitors? No…there will be nothing like it. The world will be pleasantly surprised with the friendly people with everyone in a good mood and that will put them in a good mood. I think it is going to be a fantastic event, particularly with the integration of fans. more interviews... |
