Despite budget limitations and tight schedule, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2013 is confident South Africa will pull off a successful tournament.
A three-man LOC delegation, including chairperson Advocate Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana and CEO Mvuzo Mbebe, yesterday briefed Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation on the country's readiness to host the championship to decide Africa's premier football nation.
"There may be areas where we'll have to tighten the belt. But I can assure the country that we are going to do a good job," said Mbebe.
One such measure was that LOC Board members were not taking salaries or allowances.
Mbebe told the committee that the LOC was acutely aware of the enormous responsibility it carries.
"We hosted the World Cup (Fifa 2010 World Cup) and got nine out of ten. We don't want less than that for AFCON."
According to a summary of its budget, the LOC expects an income of R335 200 860, of which an amount of R205 043 200 represented grants from various government departments. Total expenses were forecast to total R334 667 721, with a surplus of R534 139 projected.
The AFCON tournament starts at Soccer City on Saturday, 19 January 2013, when Bafana Bafana will face Cape Verde in the opening match.
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