The Board of Directors of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) took the decision on the 8 July 2008 to remove Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth from the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 schedule, after receiving a report from the OC’s Technical Team (OCTT).

This decision has been communicated to the Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay, Nondumiso Maphazi, by the Organising Committee of the 2009 Confederation Cup.

While it was noted that significant progress had been made on the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium and that it will undoubtedly be ready for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the OCTT reported that it was unlikely to meet the March 30 deadline for completion of the stadium set by FIFA and the Organising Committee on 6 May 2008 at the last Board meeting.

“We acknowledge the progress that has been made on the Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth stadium in recent months. With the complex nature of the construction and erection of the roof of the stadium, however, it was decided that it would be too high a risk to keep the stadium in the FIFA Confederations Cup schedule.”

“But the stadium has been one of the star performers of the FIFA World Cup construction process and again, we reiterate that the stadium will be a wonderful venue in 2010," said The OC Chairman, Dr Ivan Khoza.

“We fully support the decision which was taken today by the Board based on bare facts and the ongoing monitoring of the OCTT of developments in Port Elizabeth. The Board showed that it is not afraid to take tough decisions to ensure the overall success of the FIFA Confederations Cup.”

“Nelson Mandela Bay stadium bears the name of a great man who, at the host announcement in 2004, told of how inspirational this tournament is to him. And in 2010 it will be an outstanding stadium in a great location worthy of the big name it stands for – there is no doubt about it," said The Secretary General, Jerome Valke.

The Board enthusiastically noted that as at 13h00 on the 8 July 2008, 5 490 people had applied to be volunteers at the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009.

“We are delighted to see the overwhelming response from thousands of South Africans who have shown their eagerness to volunteer for the FIFA Confederations Cup. It shows again that South Africans are extremely supportive and are willing to be part of the World Cup process,” said Dr Khoza.

Read more about the progress of the other FIFA 2010 World Cup stadiums as well as the Volunteering for the 2009 Confederation Cup.

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