Sports and Cultural Affairs MEC Chris Stali said at a press briefing yesterday that the government position was very clear that Athlone would be the primary venue in Cape Town for the prestigious international sports event.

Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool announced in February that Athlone would be the primary venue for the event.

But SA Football Association's Western Province chairman Vernon Seymour then said that the Newlands Rugby Stadium was the official venue for the 2010 Bid Committee.

Yesterday, when asked to clear up the confusion, Stali said Safa on a national level had endorsed the Western Cape government's decision to use Athlone as primary venue.

"We are busy with negotiations with Safa. Safa on a national level gave us the go-ahead to use Athlone. The government's position is very clear."

"We support Athlone to be the primary venue for 2010," said Stali.

Announcing his budget in the provincial legislature yesterday, Stali said R60 million had been earmarked by the Department of Transport and Public Works for the upgrade of the Athlone stadium.

A further R21m had also been allocated to build a indoor sports facility. This would act as a practice venue for the 2010 Soccer World Cup and would be constructed at Swartklip, close to Khayelitsha and Mitchell's Plain.

Asked about the Cape's level of preparedness for 2010, Stali said the province was in the process of finalising a strategic framework for the event.

"We are also waiting for the go-ahead from the national government as to what is expected from the nine provinces."

"After 2006 it will be clearer what the government expects from us," he said.

Department head Rod Solomons said the province was now moving from planning to implementation.

Source: Cape Argus