Cape Town is eagerly gearing up to host the Netball World Cup, the first time this tournament has been held in Africa. The event, scheduled to kick off on 28 July and conclude on 6 August, is expected to have a significant economic impact on the city, injecting approximately R68 million into the local economy.
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The excitement was palpable as the flags of the 16 participating nations, including the host nation South Africa and defending champions New Zealand, Australia, England, Fiji and others, were proudly raised in the Central Business District on Friday. With such diverse representation, the tournament promises to attract a large number of visitors to Cape Town.
Tania Colyn, the acting spokesperson for Western Cape cultural affairs and sports MEC Anroux Marais expressed optimism about the economic benefits the Netball World Cup would bring.
They stated, ‘[It] is predicted to bring a boost of about R68 million to the local economy.’
‘We encourage members of communities across the province to use these public viewing centres to support our SPAR Proteas as they compete for the World Cup. We have seen the unique atmosphere that these centres can bring to past events, and we hope to see the same enthusiasm for this event! Thank you to all the municipalities for their support in hosting these centres,’ Marais added.
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Sporting events like the Netball World Cup have a history of drawing spectators, leading to increased spending in local establishments such as restaurants, hotels and retail stores.
Alderman JP Smith, the City’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, highlighted the significant impact of sports events on the city’s economy, mentioning that seven major events held in the past year alone generated over R5 billion worth of economic activity in Cape Town.
These events also reportedly created numerous job opportunities and offered trading prospects for small and medium-sized enterprises.
‘A deeper dive into the numbers shows that between February and March alone, over 417,000 people attended events in Cape Town. Those events created over 11,000 jobs and provided various trading opportunities for small to medium enterprises,’ said Smith.
To ensure the smooth running of the tournament, organisers have addressed some critical concerns, including loadshedding and security. The immediate area surrounding the tournament venue, the Cape Town International Convention Centre, will be exempt from loadshedding to ensure an uninterrupted power supply during the event.
Additionally, private security will be hired to safeguard the venue, while various law enforcement agencies, including metro police, traffic services, the SAPS and the city’s tourism safety unit, will be deployed in force.
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To add to the festivities, a free Fan Park concert is scheduled for 26 July before the official opening of the Netball World Cup. Alderman Smith claimed that the concert is expected to draw a substantial crowd, with thousands of people coming together to celebrate their shared passion for the game.
‘For the concert itself, we will easily see 5 000 to 10 000 people, and for daily activations and activities, there will be several thousand people on site, aside from the people coming to see a match,’ said Smith.
JP Smith emphasised the significance of the Netball World Cup, stating, ‘The Netball World Cup is not just a tournament; it’s a celebration of passion, dedication and unity. It brings together athletes from diverse backgrounds, cultures and countries, all joined by a love for the game.’
Also read:
City to host Fan Park concert to kickstart Netball World Cup gees
Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook
