Posted in News on Jun 25, 2006.
The joint State, Host Provincial and private sector safety and security operation will be conducted under the oversight and direction of SA Police Services (SAPS) Divisional Commissioner Arno Lamoer and Commissioner Peter Mathongwane, both experienced major event safety & security officials. The Vodacom Challenge event will, going forward, be used as a platform by State Security to start testing the various safety & security measures that will constitute best practice during 2010.
Patrick Ronan, an internationally recognized major event risk management consultant to tournament organizers SAIL, said that a National Vodacom Challenge Priority committee consisting of key role players from various State departments, the event organizer, the local participating teams and SAFA had been established. This National Priority Committee had in turn established and tasked similarly-structured Host Provincial Priority Committees, which also included all Host City safety and security stakeholders, in KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, North West and Gauteng Provinces.
Ronan advised soccer fans to buy their tickets as soon as possible at Computicket outlets nationwide and selected Shoprite Checkers ticket points, since tickets will not be on sale at the Vodacom Challenge stadia on match days.
The 2006 Vodacom challenge sees the introduction of a reserved seating only policy, which is a FIFA Championship required standard. “Soccer fans are encouraged to take note of the seat number printed on their ticket, as well as the block area and stand that the seat is situated in so as to ensure that they do not create confusion by sitting on another spectators seat. Ronan also stated “that in order to avoid spectator and vehicular congestion within the stadium precinct and at particular at the spectator search and stadium entry points, it would be advisable to arrive at the match venues no later than 2 hours before kick-off time”. In order to promote this soccer safety best practice, Ronan said that “the event organizers will be staging fantastic pre-match entertainment from 4 hours before the match to thrill the crowds.”
A security plan has been put in place that will see spectators’ tickets checked at perimeter positions before arriving at the stadium gates. “This will ensure that only persons in possession of official match tickets will arrive at the entrances to the stadia, thus enhancing spectator safety and enjoyment at the venues,” said Ronan.
“A first for SA soccer is the deployment of spectator friendly walk-through Magnetometers (metal detectors) at the spectator search points at all Vodacom Challenge match venues. The use of the magnetometers, which again will be 2010 best practice, are similar to those used at our airports, and will ensure that prohibited items will not be brought into the stadia.” Ronan stated that this aspect would be made a fun experience for spectators who will be playing their part in assisting our country in preparing for 2010. Ronan also stated that spectators should try and limit the amount of belongings brought by them as this did slow down the search processes.
Food & soft-drinks will be on sale at vendor points both inside and outside the stadia on match day, but will not be permitted to be brought into the stadia by spectators. No form of alcohol will be permitted to be taken into the stadia by spectators, nor will alcohol be on sale within the stadium and stadium precinct on respective match days.
Orlando Pirates will play against Manchester United at the Absa Stadium, Durban on Saturday, 15 July, before the Red Devils face up to the challenge of Kaizer Chiefs at the Newlands Stadium, Cape Town on Tuesday, 18 July.
The Vodacom Challenge derby between Vodacom-sponsored clubs Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, is expected to draw a capacity crowd to the 40 000-seater Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Thursday, 20 July, with the winner taking on Manchester United in the Vodacom Challenge final at the Loftus Stadium, Pretoria on Saturday, 22 July.
Bring your Vuvuzela and be there to witness the crunch between the might of African soccer clubs and arguably the most famous football team in the world.
Match tickets went on sale at Computicket and select Shoprite Checkers outlets nationwide at the start of the month at the all inclusive price of R55 each for the East Pavilion, with the exception of the final in Pretoria where the Upper East Pavilion tickets will be sold at R55 per person and the Lower East Pavilion tickets on sale at R110 per ticket.
Further tickets at R170 each (North and South Pavilion) and R350 each (West/Main Pavilion) are on sale. All tickets for the Vodacom Challenge fixture at the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg will be on sale at R55 per ticket, with the western stand having been reserved for Kaizer Chiefs supporters and the eastern stand for Orlando Pirates supporters.
The Vodacom Challenge is a dream event for corporates’ wishing to entertain clients and Hospitality Suite bookings can be arranged by contacting Melissa on 0861 124 722.
