Pretoria - Dutch soccer bosses are worried about the availability of flights to South Africa for next year's World Cup soccer tournament.
According to the Royal Netherlands Football Association (Dutch: Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbal Bond, or KNVB) up to 12 000 Dutch soccer supporters are expected to attend each of their team's matches.
Hidde Salverda of the KNVB said neighbouring countries like England and France have also qualified for the tournament, and they expect that flights will be scarce and expensive.
The KNVB has bought 6 000 air tickets from Dutch airline KLM, but Salverda considers these insufficient.
He said the KNVB realises that accommodation in South Africa is also limited, but it is more concerned about domestic transport to and from the matches.
Dutch supporters generally get together after matches for a big party, the so-called "Oranjeplein", after which they will require transport to their places of accommodation. Salverda said a solution to the problem has not yet been found.
The KNVB itself has reserved the entire Hans Merensky resort close to Phalaborwa for 150 to 200 people who will spend five days there for every match their team plays. Guests will fly back and forth from the host cities.
Managing expectations
Dutch authorities and soccer organisers are involved in a coordinated attempt to prepare their supporters for what to expect in South Africa.
Jet Bussemaker, deputy minister of health, welfare and sport, advises her Dutch compatriots to take along their own condoms, after a South African non-governmental organisation told her there could be a shortage during the tournament.
According to officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Dutch are acutely aware of the threat of crime in South Africa.
Soccer enthusiasts are not necessarily sophisticated travellers. Some might save up for four years to attend the tournament, but neglect to scout the situation in the host country, an official told Sake24.
Salverda said the KNVB advises supporters, for the sake of their safety, to use organised travel in South Africa and not to hire cars or travel alone.
He said while his organisation is acutely aware of the safety risks, it believes if supporters are informed about them they can prepare accordingly.
- Sake24.com
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