17 April 2012
The Cape Chamber of Commerce has urged the City of Cape Town to host African Cup of Nations matches next year, saying football is good for business, it was reported on Tuesday.
Chamber chairman Michael Bagraim told the Cape Times it would benefit the city in the long run.
“Soccer is good for the city,” Bagraim said. “It puts us on the map, brings tourists from Africa especially, and brings money into the coffers of even the smallest businesses.”
The city missed the deadline for the signing of host city agreements last Friday, saying the costs were too high and uncertain as the estimated R27-million could balloon to R40-million.
It suggested that the organisers pay 25 percent of the costs and the National Treasury guarantee 50 percent.
The city and the Western Cape government would cover the remaining 25 percent.
Mayoral committee member for tourism, events and marketing, Grant Pascoe, told the newspaper the city was still interested in hosting matches.
The South African Football Association is due make announce its decision on the host cities for the continental football showpiece on Thursday.
Sapa
