Botswana catches soccer fever

Johannesburg - From the start, South Africa has positioned the Fifa 2010 World Cup as an African event. One country that is taking its involvement seriously is Botswana.

High Commissioner to Botswana Ngconde Balfour, who was part of the organising committee which won the bid to host, describes the country in which he is posted as "very clued-up on the tournament and opportunities around it". He speaks of the renovation of stadiums in preparation for next year.

Africans and other tourists are expected to be moving between the countries in numbers. Tshidi Mahlangu, South African Airways Botswana country manager, pointed out that construction at Gaborone's Seretse Khama Airport was being accelerated to accommodate the visitors expected due to the soccer spectacular.

Landing strips are being expanded to permit larger planes and more frequent flights. The roads in and around the airport are also receiving a facelift to improve traffic flow.

Embassies are getting in on the act with their own soccer teams. Much excitement has been generated and balls have been promised by Irvin Khoza, the South African soccer administrator who chaired the World Cup bid, according to Balfour.

Programmes are being put together for embassies to catch the World Cup. He states that South Africa can help Botswana deepen participation by allowing some teams to establish their training ground with the neighbour.

As for border control, his feeling is that despite tighter controls free movement should be allowed between the two countries, especially for schoolchildren. - Fin24.com