Sports organisations have criticised Buffalo City's decision to abort plans to build a world class stadium in East London.
Buffalo City Municipality mayor Zintle Peter announced that they had scrapped its plans to build the proposed 40,000 capacity multi-purpose stadium.
She made the announcement in Port Elizabeth during the 2010 summit at the weekend.
Afterwards, Peter told the Daily Dispatch that building the stadium would be a "complete waste of money".
The news came as a huge shock to many sports lovers.
Former mayor Sindisile Maclean had mentioned more than once during his tenure that the city would build a world class stadium which would open doors for the city to host major international events.
Eddie du Plooy, the South African Football Association (Safa) Eastern Cape provincial representative at the national executive committee, said he was very disappointed with the latest move.
"The stadium was not only going to be used for the 2010 soccer World Cup. Look at it as an investment for the city.
"If you have a big stadium, you have a good chance of attracting major games but without the facility, your chances are slim."
Du Plooy said the decision took him by surprise as he had hoped that there would have been consultation with football people before such a decision was taken.
"I respect the mayor's decision but if we (football people) could have been asked for some input, we would have welcomed such an initiative. Personally, I think we need a stadium, not only for soccer but also for rugby - the two biggest sports in this province," he said.
Du Plooy said the city might have to wait for a very long time to host a Bafana Bafana game if it did not have a stadium.
Xolani Bishoti, chairperson of Buffalo City Local Football Association, also lashed out.
"I'm not sure what made the mayor arrive at such a decision.
"I think East London needs a stadium, otherwise we must forget about ever hosting big games.
"A stadium is a basic need for our city at the moment. It will attract a lot of investors and make even Safa and PSL consider us when they allocate venues for big games and tournaments."
Bishoti said they were going to request a meeting with the mayor to discuss the decision - among other things.
Border Rugby Union general manager, Leon Botha said East London needed a stadium with at least 25,000 capacity before the city could think about hosting major rugby games.
"It will be bad from a sporting point of view if we don't get a stadium with at least 25,000 seats so that we can start thinking about hosting major Springbok games," Botha said.
Chairperson of the Border-Kei Chamber of Business, Les Holbrook, said the fact that East London no longer had a professional soccer side after the relegation of Bush Bucks might have influenced the mayor's decision.
However, Holbrook said it was imperative for the council to re-look at the matter next year.
The BCM on Wednesday declined repeated attempts for them to comment.
Mayoral spokesperson Matthew Moonieya said Peter had decided not to talk to the Dispatch.
"The mayor said you can take all the material from the (Buffalo City) website," Moonieya said.
Daily Dispatch
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge
