New Durban Stadium Article

Our Version:

Perched on the Indian Ocean, the newly built Durban Stadium is completed and ready for football. It is one of ten South African locations that will stage the world’s greatest sporting event – FIFA’s 2010 World Cup – this June. The arena, alternately known as the Moses Mabhida Stadium, is clearly well worthy of the honour, having received rave reviews both locally and internationally.

The stadium’s much-touted cable car is already iconic. Via the car, visitors ascend to a viewing platform at the 350m arch’s apical point, said platform situated a staggering 106m above the pitch. The vantage point affords spectacular panoramic views of the ocean and city.

A Bold Statement
An onlooker recently postulated that the new stadium would come to epitomize this year’s FIFA World Cup™: both are bold statements. Completed on schedule, the majestic arena has already hosted a number of high-profile matches, including a showdown between South Africa's best-supported team, Kaizer Chiefs, and one of their most popular rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns. A capacity crowd packed into the stadium for the match.

Julie-May Ellingson, Head of the Strategic Projects Unit and 2010 Programme, noted that everyone is pleased with the progress that has been made with the stadium and city. “The city and stadium management team are extremely pleased with the success of the first event," said Ellington. “It was a milestone for the city of Durban as well as for the stadium. Together, we have worked extremely hard to ensure that future events at the stadium grow from strength to strength.”

The arena, built on the site of Durban's old Kings Park Stadium, is in its infancy already a landmark structure and inspirational venue for players, spectators and visitors. The surrounding areas will feature additional sporting arenas & facilities, restaurants, shops, play areas for children, and a pedestrian walkway joining the complex with the beach.

City Preparations
Typical of seaside cities, Durban boasts beautiful beaches and pleasant weather. It’s uShaka Marine World and Amanzimtoti (loosely “sweet waters” in Zulu) are major attractions. In anticipation of the hoards of football fanatics expected to flock to the global showpiece, the city has been improving its infrastructure and maximizing its capacity.


FIFA's Version:

Durban Stadium raises the bar
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 12 January 2010

The newly-built Durban Stadium, which sits on the shores of the Indian Ocean, has received rave reviews from both local and international media - and no wonder.

The stadium, which is now completed and ready for football, is one of ten that will stage the world’s greatest sporting event at the tip of the African continent in June. And the arena, otherwise known as the Moses Mabhida Stadium, is clearly well worthy of this honour.

Undoubtedly, one of its most iconic features stadium (huh? What does this even mean?!) is its much-talked about cable car. By this means, visitors can ascend to a viewing platform at the top of the expansive 350m arch, a staggering 106m above the pitch. From this vantage point, it is possible to experience spectacular panoramic views over the ocean and the city (It’s possible to experience? What else would one be doing on the top of a football stadium? Brushing one’s teeth?).

A bold statement
One onlooker recently observed that the new (adverbial foul) built Durban Stadium will be the epitome of this year’s FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa: a bold statement. Completed on schedule, the majestic arena has already hosted a number of high-profile matches including a showdown between South Africa's best-supported team, Kaizer Chiefs, and one of their most popular rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns. A capacity crowd packed into the stadium for that particular event.

Julie-May Ellingson, Head of the Strategic Projects Unit and 2010 Programme, said that everyone is pleased with the progress that has been made with the stadium and in the city as a whole. “The city and stadium management team are extremely pleased with the success of the first event," said Ellington. “It was a milestone for the City of Durban as well as for the stadium. Together, we have worked extremely hard to ensure that future events at the stadium grow from strength to strength.”

The arena, built on the site of Durban's old Kings Park Stadium, has already become a landmark structure within the city and an inspirational venue for players, spectators and visitors. The entire area will also feature additional sporting arenas and facilities as well as restaurants, shops, play areas for children and a pedestrian walkway linking the stadium complex to the beach.

City preparations
Durban, which boasts with (again, huh? Boasts with? Seriously?) beautiful beaches and pleasant weather, has also been speeding up preparations in improving its infrastructure and capacity in preparations for the tournament. The city, which includes attractions such as the uShaka Marine World and Amanzimtoti (loosely translated as "sweet waters" in Zulu), is positioning itself to host thousands of fans, who are expected to flock to South Africa for the tournament in less than six months time.


And of course, you can always read the original if you prefer.