Gauteng to set up Netball World Cup fan parks

The global showpiece begins in July at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town. And Gauteng MEC for Sports Morakane Mosupyoe has put measures in place to ensure those from beyond the Western Cape may join in on the 10-day festivities. 

“We had a discussion with the Netball SA CEO Blanche de la Guerre, and she gave us a concept document, and we are going to put up the big tents for the fan parks. The only thing holding us back was the specs from Netball SA. 

It’s a World Cup, a global tournament, and it was important for us to understand what netball SA wanted the fan parks to look like, and they told us that there is a basic theme that they want to go through the parks”, Mosupyoe told SABC Sport. 

Mosupyoe, a former MEC for social development who took over as head of sport from Mbali Hlophe in October, announced each of the five regions would have a sizable and vibrant fan park.

Furthermore, she intends to arrange for artists to give live performances during the World Cup viewings.  

“We are going all out to create a memorable experience and bring the fun to the fans in Gauteng as we rally behind the Proteas,” said Mosupyoe.

A week ago, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi notified SABC Sport he had set aside a "special" budget for Mosupyoe to bring back the spark in Gauteng sport.

Mosupyoe will use a portion of that budget to build these fan parks. 

By Charles Baloyi