KwaZuluNatal’s 2010 World Cup preparations received a shot in the arm at the weekend when provincial MEC for local government Mike Mabuyakhulu announced plans to launch five “training stadiums’ to be built in municipalities in the province.

Mabuyakhulu, speaking in Richards Bay, said the stadiums, which will cost more than R267million, would be built in eThekwini metro, uThungulu, Mgungundlovu, aMajuba and uGu municipalities.

He said the stadiums would be used by some of the 32 teams that would taking part in the World Cup tournament as well as by local people.

He said a 13000 seater stadium would be built in July in uThungulu and be completed in December next year.

“It will have 4000 covered seats and 9000 uncovered seats,” Mabuyakhulu said.

“It will also include a synthetic athletic track and a well-fitted indoor sports centre.

“We want to make the world tournament a memorable one and benefit rural people as well.”