The Eastern Cape Provincial Co- ordinating Committee (PCC) for the World Cup is ahead of other provinces in preparations for the international showpiece, says chairperson Bubele Mfenyana.

Speaking after a meeting held here this week, Mfenyana, who is also head of the provincial Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC), said some other provinces had already approached the Eastern Cape PCC for advice in setting up their structures.

Since the committee was established last October to co-ordinate and advise the cabinet on all matters pertaining to the 2010 World Cup, it has met seven times on a monthly basis.

Three municipalities - Buffalo City, King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) and Nelson Mandela Metro - have been identified for the construction of stadiums to be used during the World Cup tournament.

Buffalo City and KSD will be used as practice venues during the tournament and the Nelson Mandela Metro is planning to host group matches.

Each of the three municipalities has three representatives in the PCC, in addition to representatives from nine government departments and four from the business sector.

A 60000-seater stadium, according to Mfenyana, is to be built in Port Elizabeth to host some of the group games during the tourney.

On Thursday, the PCC, representatives from the South African Football Association and officials from Ntinga OR Tambo Development Agency visited the site in Vulindlela Heights here that has been identified for the construction of the stadium.

Last month, the PCC visited the site at Prince Alfred Park in Port Elizabeth, where the 60000-seater stadium is to be built.

"The most important achievement to us has been being able to bring the three municipalities together to co- operate and not compete against each other."

Mfenyana said he was sure that when the inspection team from the world soccer governing body, Fifa, comes to inspect facilities in the country, all the three venues will be completed.

"Nelson Mandela Metro and KSD have gone as far as completing their business plans for the development of facilities and blueprints for the stadiums to be built in the municipalities, and the DSRAC has already given KSD R5 million to start putting down the foundation for the construction of the stadium here," said Mfenyana.

Buffalo City is lagging behind because it has not yet identified a site for its stadium, noted Mfenyana.

Next month's meeting of the PCC will be in Buffalo City, which will probably be the home of the soon- to-be-established offices of the PCC.

With a budget of R1,5m this year, the PCC has already advertised staff posts, which will drive its mission from its office, said Mfenyana. He called on investors to start investing in the development of facilities in the Eastern Cape now, "before it is too late".

Mfenyana's statements about the progress made in preparation for 2010 comes a year and four days after the country was awarded the rights to host the world soccer showpiece.

Source: Daily Despatch