World Cup Committee Final Preparations: briefing

Meeting report

SPORT AND RECREATION PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
21 January 2003
WORLD CUP COMMITTEE FINAL PREPARATIONS: BRIEFING

Acting Chairperson: Mr M Ntuli (ANC)

Documents Handed Out:
Parliament Priority Committee Presentation

SUMMARY
ICC Cricket World Cup Committee informed the Committee that preparations for the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup was in the final stages. Each host city would hold a series of lead up matches including development clinics focusing especially on those areas that were previously disadvantaged. It was noted that for the first time in the history of cricket an anti-dope medical procedure would be used.

MINUTES
The ICC Cricket World Cup Committee, represented by Mr Peter Heeger (the World Cup Liaison Officer) and Ms Meryl Hendricks (Western Province Cricket Association), made its presentation before the Portfolio Committee (see the document attached).

Discussion
Ms N Lamani (ANC) applauded the World Cup Committee, especially in ensuring that the general public would be involved throughout the process. She asked which taxi industries were involved in transporting the VIP's and the spectators taking into account that there were a number of different taxi industries in South Africa.

The Chair noted that Ms Lamani did not want the Committee to mention names of the industries.

Mr P Heeger replied that the Department of Transport has been much involved in the process of transportation and it has made consulting with all the Taxi industries in South Africa. Further noted that all taxi role players, including mini and meter taxis, would be involved in the transportation throughout the world cup.

Dr E Schoeman (ANC) asked what mechanisms had been put in place in order to safeguard the influx of tourists during the world cup thus ensuring that the investors were attracted in the country. Further noting the poor results in the previous games as the result of the lack of use of technology, what mechanisms had been put in place in order to address such concerns.

Mr Heeger replied that one of the major events of this world cup was to attract tourists and investors. As the result two major international companies had shown interest of using this world cup as an opportunity to launch their products in South Africa. With regard to the use of technology the ICC intended to use it in so far as it does not encumber on the use of human mind decisions.

Mr L Reid (ANC) welcomed the public involvement in the process. He asked what benefits would they receive in the process, especially those who were coming from the previous disadvantaged areas.

Mr Heeger stated that the ICC Cricket World Cup Committee and the Local Cricket boards had signed a contract stipulating that the latter would share in the sale of the tickets. Therefore this would contribute in the development of the games and furthermore there were tickets which would be distributed to the public, especially those coming from the previously disadvantaged areas, so that they would be able come and watch some of the games.

Mr Raju (DP) requested the ICC to comment on the reports that there had been sale of tickets by private people on higher price and some people had been arrested. Secondly, he noted that most of the South Africans had access to television, especially those who live in rural areas, therefore what had been done to ensure that even those people had access or are aware of what is going on during the world cup.

Mr Heeger said that his committee had taken note of the fact that there were people who sold tickets with the intention of gaining profit. However, since this was illegal those people would be dealt accordingly. Secondly in order to ensure that everyone was updated about the whole world cup process, the SABC and other international broadcasting services would be largely used throughout the event.

Mr J Louw (ANC) asked what strategies were in place in order to ensure that people in the remote areas of our country were also updated and upkeep with the world cup event.

Mr Heeger replied that the development clinics which had been put in place in all areas in South Africa, including rural areas, are intending to update and upkeep those communities especially those which would not host formal world cup matches.

Ms Lamani noted that this was a historical event and as such its success would be beneficial to all South Africans. Therefore as Members of Parliament they were very willing to assist the ICC wherever necessarily.

Mr Heeger commended the Committee on this and further requested it to come to all its events especially those which were leading to the world cup in order to show its support.

Mr Raju asked what would happen if the boycott against Zimbabwe materialised. Therefore what would the Zimbabwean government and its cricket board lose in the process.

The Chair noted that this was a political issue and as such ICC would not wish to be involved. However he requested the Committee to investigate what loss would culminate if the boycott were to go on against Zimbabwe, without imputing on its political aspects.

Mr Heeger agreed with the Chair that the boycott against Zimbabwe was a political one and as such ICC would not like to enter into its merits. However, he informed the Committee that some of the countries that were against playing in Zimbabwe, such as Australia, had since decided to honour their games. So therefore all ICC games in Zimbabwe would take place as initially planned and Zimbabwe would be treated like any other province in South Africa hosting the world cup.

Meeting was adjourned.