Angola spending big for Africa Cup of Nations 21/01/2009 |
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Angola is pouring billions of rands into new stadiums, hotels and airports to get ready for the 2010 African Nations Cup, which kicks off on schedule in less than 12 months.
The decision to award Nations Cup to the oil rich state surprised some who did not believe the former Portuguese colony could get itself ready in time, having only ended a 27-year civil war in 2002.
But according to the organising committee, stadium construction is running to schedule and preparations are well underway.
Four new stadiums in Benguela, Lubango, Cabinda and the capital Luanda, where the final will be held, are being built by Chinese construction companies.
While no figures have been released about the costs of organising the three-week tournament or building the stadiums, the national airport company says it’s spending more than R2,7 billion million refitting and rebuilding airports in Luanda, Benguela and Lubango.
A major priority for organisers after the stadiums is making sure there is enough accommodation. Currently hotel rooms in Angola are few and far between, costing as much as R3000 a night and booked up months in advance.
According to the organising committee, 30 hotels are being built, 16 of them in Luanda, and ordinary Angolans will rent rooms to visitors.
Another key concern is the potential cost to visitors because Luanda, according to London-based human resources consultant ECA International, is the most expensive city in the world with a litre of milk costing R30 and a pizza and beer as much as R500.
The committee has also pledged to make sure the notoriously difficult visa application process would be looked at to prevent delays for spectators coming to Angola.
But, perhaps used to the daily challenges of bad roads, high prices and lack of services, most Angolans are confident the competition will be a success.
Angola’s national team, Palancas Negras, have had a tough time on the pitch and failed to qualify for the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa.
A coaching reshuffle saw Mabi de Almeida take over from Luis Oliveira Goncalves and he has pledged to do his best for the home crowd during the 2010 tournament. Save & Share
(Source: kickoff.com)
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