EC sporting legends endorse Bay Sevens bid
06 December 2010
Former springboks like Garth Wright and Danie Gerber and Sevens captains from the Bay Mzwandile Stick and Mpho Mbiyozo have endorsed the tender saying it will bring the city “out of the cold” and Eastern Cape MEC for Sports, Recreation Arts and Culture, Xoliswa Tom, has also given the bid her stamp of approval, adding high level political support.
“As the province we believe the descent of 15 great rugby playing nations into our province would contribute to a lot towards economic growth, in the province in general and Nelson Mandela Bay in particular.
“Furthermore, Rugby Sevens is gaining popularity amongst the rugby playing youth of our province and the event will contribute to the expansion of the player base,” said Tom, adding that the event would be a stepping stone to attracting more similar sporting attractions as well as expanding the tourism market to people who otherwise might not have come to the Eastern Cape.
“The Eastern Cape appeals to the authorities at the South African Rugby Union to positively consider the bid in honour of Nelson Mandela, Steve Tshwete and other greats who fought for non-racialism in sport.”
Garth Wright, former Springbok born in East London but living in Nelson Mandela Bay said: “The Eastern Cape for many reasons has been left out in the cold with regards to top flight rugby in this country and this is an opportunity to put a few things right that in the past have alluded us.
“Rugby is on the rise in our region and this would be the next piece in the puzzle to ensure we take our rightful place in South African and world rugby again. The stadium is without doubt the perfect venue for a World Sevens stop over. Not only do we have a world-class stadium, we also have a rugby mad population that is desperate for some top flight rugby.”
He added that while George had done a magnificent job of hosting the South African leg of the IRB Sevens World Series it was Nelson Mandela Bay’s turn to showcase the region to the world and to follow from the foundation laid in George. “As hard as that change might be to make, it is vital for the development of rugby in our region that we also get the opportunity to host such a prestigious event.”
Bay local Danie Gerber, who played for South Africa between 1980 and 1992 and was amongst the first South Africans to play Sevens rugby in the 1980s, said it was time to shift the Sevens game to Nelson Mandela Bay. “The Eastern Province supporters are hungry for good rugby. The last game we had here we filled the stadium with 45 000 people, if that isn’t a good indication of our hunger, I don’t know what is.
“The vibe was unbelievable. I hope that it comes here, because we can certainly pull out all the stops and bring the support to a superb stadium that we can definitely fill,” said Gerber of the Eastern Province Kings game against the Pumas on October 29.
The city’s own former Springbok IRB HSBC World Sevens Series captains Mzwandile Stick and Mpho Mbiyozo believe the city’s bid to host the tournament would be a great boost to the region, both in terms of promoting the city and serving its avid rugby supporters.
“Our world-class stadium is the perfect venue and Nelson Mandela Bay is in my opinion one of the world’s best cities to live in and visit as a tourist. It has everything, including beautiful beaches and is quick and easy to get around,” said Stick.
The city will submit its bid document to the South African Rugby Union (SARU) on December 10, after which bidders must keep their proposal offer open for a period of 120 days. The award is a SARU decision, after it secured the South African leg of the IRB Sevens World Series from the IRB.
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