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How To Master Putting

no@spam.com (Stephen Lau) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:04:36 EDT

Putting is the smallest form of the golf swing, but is also
the last thing you do to complete the hole. If you master
putting, you master the game of golf.

Putting is an art, and it requires a proper tool to express
that form of art. The putter is quite different from other
golf clubs. First of all, there are many different designs
in putters. Generally, putters are the shortest of all golf
clubs, and they are designed to roll the golf ball when it
is on the green. The most significant difference between
the putter and the rest of the golf clubs is the grip: it
is flat on the top of the shaft to allow you to place your
hands comfortably on the grip without exerting undue
pressure on the equipment. To master putting, select the
right putter, with which you are most comfortable.

Putting is the simplest golf swing because it requires of
you the fewest movements. However, these movements are
critical to your golfing success.

To master golf putting, it is important to keep your body
still and in a solid position before you start your stroke.
Hold your putter around the handle with both palms facing
each other, while your thumbs are pointing straight down
the shaft to the head of your putter. Your putter has a
sweet spot, which is the weighted spot of the club
that enables the golf club to spring off the face of the
club. Now, rest the flat spot on the bottom of your
clubhead flat against the surface of the green, and set
your putter on the green such that the sweet spot
(indicated by a dot or line on the putter) is directly
behind the center of the golf ball.

Focus your eyes directly on the golf ball. Bend comfortably
as far as you can, while keep your arms hanging freely.
Ease up on your legs and arms with your feet shoulder-width
apart. Flexibility of muscles is essential to mastering the
stroke.

In a pendulum motion, strike the golf ball with your
shoulders and arms moving together. And that is it! It is
just that simple!

However, to master putting, you need to remember these golf
putting tips.

Always keep your legs, hands, as well as head and torso,
still and solid while moving your shoulders and arms to
create the pendulum motion in your putting stroke.

In golf putting, distance is more important than direction,
because a golf ball rolling with the correct distance tends
to come closer to the hole than one with only a correct
direction. Therefore, it is important to control the length
of the stroke and the contact off the face of your putter.
Accordingly, for a shorter putt, do not slow down the
motion; likewise, for a longer putt, do not speed up the
motion. Learn to master maintaining pace consistency with
different distances. Given that the direction of the golf
ball is controlled by the face angle of your putter, always
align the clubface perpendicular to the target line.
Maintain that position when you strike the golf ball.

Putting is a simple game to play but difficult to master.
However, it can be done through practice and observation of
putting tips outlined above.

How To Use Your Computer To Create a Super Internet Sports TV System!

no@spam.com (Philip Sumpter) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:48:03 EDT

After investing hard earn money into your big screen
entertainment center, there is nothing better than to come
home and watch a local team or favorite sporting event with
the remote in hand. When entertaining friends or family
members and watching Satellite TV sports, it makes a great
event

And what's better than having a Satellite TV service that
delivers live sporting events you want to see whenever the
occasion strikes. Fact is there is nothing better but
Internet sports TV makes a good argument.

Creating a super sports television is something every
sports enthusiast will want. But if a stickler for
traditional ways, you could be missing out on what the
future brings... Internet sports TV.

Many people don't realize that a lot of free sports is
missing from their plates that should be part of their
arsenal. And it is also true that many sport enthusiasts
simply have not explored what the Internet brings, which
provides an enormous amount of free live and on-demand
sports channels via computer. On the other hand, it's like
having a free library of Worldwide sports on your PC.

If at some point you brushed Internet sports TV off as
being some fad soon to disappear, then you might want to
reconsider. It was only a year ago (2008) when NFL
officials announced they would stream their live Sunday
Night Football games online, free of charge. And so they
did. This was a first time ever and the beginning of what's
yet to come.

Although there have been all kinds of Worldwide sports to
watch online before this new happening, the bottom-line is
Internet sports TV continues to expand with new free
content being streamed to the Internet everyday.

So if you haven't given this some serious thought, here are
some things to make note of that traditional TV can't
deliver but Internet sports TV can:

Access 1000s of Worldwide sporting events without paying a
monthly fee (unless you want to). This also includes
gaining access to all US, Canada, Australia, UK, European
and Asian sports, as well as other Countries with various
languages

Create a desktop computer Internet TV (extra television) to
watch either sports or other free entertainment such as
movies, live TV episodes, news and whatever else. What this
means is when it comes down to show time, nothing should
stand in your way to watching sports when there are more
household members than number of TVs.

Creating a desktop computer Internet TV is like having an
extra television to watch any sporting event or other
entertainment from any location from home or when on the
go. Meaning, you will never miss any sport, playoff or
championship game again when at work, college or traveling

Create a TV to PC system by creating one of the above and
connecting it to a television set using a cheap cable
connector.

What Internet sports TV provides is another dimension to
watching sports. But it doesn't stop there as there are
thousands of live/on-demand television channels, radio
stations, music and videos that can be accessed by ones
computer.

The other benefit comes with not only having free access to
live and on-demand sports but all kinds of movies, favorite
TV episodes, news and other entertainment from across the
globe (24/7) as well.

No matter what happens that tries to prevent you from
watching a favorite sporting event, here's a safety net you
could grow to appreciate. There are many methods to
watching Internet sports TV. However, it's still a work in
progress but continues to improve.

Never before has there been so much sports available to
watch online that offers more than any paid TV network.

Internet sports TV is the practical way to watching sports
for those living without paid television, living on a tight
budget, considering canceling/downgrading Cable or
Satellite service, when on the go, or simply want to bring
unlimited Internet entertainment to their computers.

One thing to note here is Internet television won't deliver
the same programming that Comcast and Direct TV provides.
But it delivers the next best thing without paying any
monthly fees.

There are expensive and less expensive ways (initial cost)
to watching Internet sports TV. And a free way, if doing
all the work yourself (no initial cost). As for newbies
living on a tight budget who don't have the time, money or
know-how, there are very low cost products specifically
designed for them that makes setting up their own super
Internet sports system worthwhile.

Essential Golf Course Maintenance Equipment

no@spam.com (Christine OKelly) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:57:10 EDT

The perfect golf course requires a patient grounds keeping crew with a good eye for detail. Golf courses require their keepers to be perfectionists in both their work ethic and the equipment that they use. The many different types of playing surfaces, from the fairways to the roughs and sand traps, all need to be maintained differently and with special equipment. In this article, we'll look at the common pieces of golf course maintenance equipment that the grounds crew uses to keep golf courses in pristine condition.

Bunker Rakes

Bunkers and sand traps are obstacles on the golf course, but that doesn't mean that the grounds crew neglects them. The surface of the sand is very important to the golfer and his shot, just like the surface of the fairway. The most efficient way to rake a sand trap and keep those bunkers level is with bunker rakes. Bunker rakes will evenly level a sand trap without leaving deep foot prints or displacing sand. They can also have attachments like leaf rakes, spikers, brooms, blowers, and drag mats to increase their versatility. Leave the manual rakes near the bunkers for golfers -- the professional ground crew should be using powered bunker rakes.

Rough Mowers

Despite its name, the rough areas on a course need to be meticulously maintained. Having the edges of the course to a specific height is required for regulation play. Just as important as having the fairway properly trimmed, the rough areas must also follow guidelines. Rough mowers come in both self contained units as well as pull frame gang mowers and both can give a precise cut between three quarters of an inch up to three inches. In addition, quality rough mowers will have individual, outside cutting units to mow in tight spots and the corners of a course. These units are the best machines for the outside areas of a golf course.

Fairway Mowers

The most important part of the course is arguably the fairway. As with the other parts of a course, the fairway has to be precisely cut and maintained for a proper game of golf. Fairway mowers are the workhorse for a grounds crew, they come in sizes up to twelve feet in width and offer a precision cut at a minimum of a quarter of an inch up to one and three quarters of an inch. These mowers are built with the highest level of durability, reliability, and power.

A golf course maintenance crew faces many challenges that other grounds crews do not. For example, most sporting fields such as soccer and football fields are all cut to one length, do not contain special areas like bunkers, and often use artificial turf for large stadiums. The golf groundskeepers must handle the many demands of a professional golf course and require the best tools in order to do so. From bunker rakes and rough mowers, to fairway mowers and a lot of knowhow, golf course crews apply a great deal of skill to keep a course looking fantastic for players.

Swimming Freestyle - The Fastest Way to Perfect Swimming Technique

no@spam.com (Brenton Ford) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:44:27 EDT

The old coaching methods taught us that to swim faster we
must train harder and train more often. The reality is that
the best swimmers in the world focus on swimming with
correct technique more than anything else. Champion
swimmers don't aim to thrash out the maximum laps per
session. They focus on reducing drag each and every stroke.
Improvement comes from reducing drag more than increasing
fitness.

Here is a list of four tips to help you swim like an
Olympian:

Train to perfect technique, not to get fit: Everyone must
start out by first getting technique right, and then
progressing on to improving fitness. If you're focus isn't
on swimming with correct technique from the beginning, any
training you do will not help you for the long-term.

Find a coach or mentor: An unwritten law of swimming is
'whatever it feels like you're doing in the water, you're
probably doing the exact opposite'. The get better quickly
at swimming the easiest way is to have a qualified coach or
a knowledgable swimmer give you feedback on your technique.
You can either find a coach in your local area or find a
coach online. There are many coaches who allow you send a
video of yourself over the internet and they will email you
back with advice.

Educate yourself: Just like a doctor studies medicine to
become a good doctor, to become good at swimming you must
study it also. It is much cheaper than a college education
though! Read the books, watch the DVD's and buy the
programs which will show you the correct technique and how
to achieve it.

Find a training partner: Training with others adds to the
enjoyment of swimming. It also increase how hard you train
and how far you swim because time will go by much quicker.
It has been proven that running with another person
increases your pace by 18% compared to when you run alone.
I'm sure it is no different when in the pool. Find someone
who is faster and fitter than you, as this will help you
rise to their level rather than take the easy road.

Never quit: Swimming fast takes time. It won't happen in a
day, a week or even a month. Persist with your swimming and
be consistent with your practice. Don't train for 3 days in
a row and then take a week off and expect for results to
show. You must be consistent and focus always getting
better through practicing the right technique.

Know Your Golf Clubs - Seven Key Points You Need To Be Aware Of

no@spam.com (Steve Lee) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:33:02 EDT

Most golf improvement advice concentrates on helping to
achieve a better golf swing or getting more distance
through the use of tips and drills.

Whilst this information may be useful, little or none of it
ever takes account of one of the most important factors
that will allow us to play the best golf we are capable of
playing; i.e. the specification of our clubs. Indeed, the
over-zealous teacher may try to cure a pupil's slice by
trying to change their swing when, in fact, the problem may
not be the swing but the clubs!

In this article - which will concentrate on the irons - I
shall be giving an overview of the seven key elements of
the golf club that should be taken into account when
assessing which clubs are best for you.

1 - Head Design

Essentially there are two types of Iron Head Design; cavity
back or "perimeter weighted", and muscleback or "blades".
As the name suggests, the former is distinguishable by the
recessed area in the back of the head and the visible
re-distribution of the weight around the perimeter;
conversely, "blades" are identifiable by their relatively
flat backs.

The purpose of re-distributing the weight around the head
perimeter in cavity backs is, putting it technically, to
increase "the moment of inertia". This is the scientific
way of saying "reducing club head twist on off-center hits".

Because the vast majority of golfers are inconsistent in
the way they strike the ball, the more "forgiving" cavity
back clubs will be better suited to them than the "blade".

2 - Length

Firstly let me dispel one of the great myths of golf and
that is, "The taller you are, the longer your clubs should
be".

One of the primary factors to take into account when
determining how long your clubs should be is the length of
your arms, so it is important that this is taken into
account when deciding which clubs to buy.

To be fair, "standard" length clubs will suit the majority
of players (that's why they're "standard"!) , but it is
something you need to be aware of.

3 - Lie

The ideal lie of the club is that which allows the sole to
be flat to the ground at impact.

If a club is too "upright" at impact, the heel "digs" in,
turns the head to the left resulting in a shot to the left.
Conversely, a club that is too "flat" at impact will dig
its toe in and cause a shot to the right.

I have been careful to define the lie at impact. This is
very important; if the sole of the club sits flat on the
ground at set up, it is highly unlikely to be in that
position at impact. This is because the shaft will bow
during the swing with the result that the lie angle at
impact will be flatter.

4 - Loft

Generally speaking the "standard" loft on clubs is pretty
much suited to everyone.

There is, however, one thing to be aware of if you consider
altering the loft on your clubs and that is by adjusting
the loft you will change the "bounce". The effects of
"bounce" are outside the scope of this article but I will
just say that if you considered increasing the loft on your
clubs with the intention of making it easier to get the
ball airborne, you would increase the "bounce" which could
actually be counter-productive insofar as you would risk
"thinning" your shots.

5 - Shaft Flex

The importance of having the correct flex in your shafts
cannot be over-stated. This is a huge subject but,
generally speaking, the faster you swing the golf club the
stiffer your shafts will need to be.

The shaft is really the most important component of the
golf club and is often described as the "Engine"; get the
right shaft flex and your game can improve beyond
recognition.

6 - Grips

We all know there are a huge variety of grips on the market
today and it is important to find a grip that feels
comfortable; you may prefer the softer feel of a tour
velvet, a rougher-feeling corded or a combination of the
two.

It is also extremely important to check the wear on your
grips as worn grips can result in the golf club twisting at
impact.

Last but not least you should be measured for the size of
grip that is right for you. The wrong size grip can
seriously affect your performance by encouraging, for
example, a slice or hook.

7 - Weight

There are really two elements in one here.

First, the overall weight of the club: second, the swing
weight. The first is self-explanatory: the second can be
defined as the relationship between the weight in the grip
end of the club and that in the head end.

Again, this is more about comfort than anything else, and
as long as the club feels comfortable there is no need to
worry too much about weight considerations which is, in
itself, a subject that can warrant much discussion.

If you are about to buy a new set of clubs or are not
playing as well as you would like with your existing set, a
little time spent considering the above Elements could
result in a huge improvement in your golf game.

Golf Equipment Demonstration Days - A Few Words of Warning

no@spam.com (Steve Lee) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:17:08 EDT

If you are a keen golfer you have probably attended a golf
demonstration day at some point during your golfing
'career'. If you are considering going to one soon, then
you really should read what follows because you need to,
'Beware of the demonstration day - you could well learn
something to your disadvantage" .

Until a few years ago, these simply consisted of a
manufacturer or manufacturers turning up with a few bags of
their latest clubs for us to try out on the driving range
in the hope that we would be tempted to part with our
hard-earned cash. If you are anything like me, you go
through as many clubs as the time allows, or until you
discover the one (which, in my case, was invariably there)
that you just know will take your golf game to a whole new
level

From the very first moment I held that shiny new driver I
just knew this was the one; the Holy Grail of golf clubs
that I'd been searching for all my golfing life; and not
only that, the proof of its power was there for all to see
as I nailed every drive straight and true towards the end
of the range, leaving me wondering what to do next; hit
another screaming drive or reach for my credit card.

Having bought the club, at the very moment I used it 'in
anger' for the first time, I was subjected to what remains
to me one of the Great Mysteries Of The Universe. It didn't
work anymore. It was as if its power had suddenly drained
away.

With the passing of time and the advance of new technology,
however, not only do we see bags full of golf clubs
nowadays, but also an array of laptops perched on lecterns,
with strange looking boxes sitting ominously adjacent to
the spot from where we hit the ball. The first time I saw
all this paraphernalia, I was convinced it had been
invented for the sole purpose of solving the aforementioned
'Great Mystery'.

I recently went to one of these 'demo' days with a pro
friend who plays on one of the minor tours, and as well as
three or four major club companies, there was one
demonstrating their golf balls.

My friend always uses what is probably the best-known and
most played ball on tour, but is always open to try
anything which might save him a shot or so a round.

We called in on the 'golf ball guy', he asked my friend
what ball he normally played, handed three to him and told
him to hit driver into the net. Whilst my friend was
getting prepared (he had his own driver with him), the
'golf ball guy' started fiddling with his laptop and once
he was ready the three shots were hit.

After a short appraisal of the results, the guy said he was
playing the wrong ball and to try the one made by his
company.

Another tweak of the laptop, another three shots and
another appraisal but this time, miraculously, the ball was
perfect. More distance, straighter, better ball flight,
less backspin, sidespin and so on.

My friend was staggered but I was not quite so excited and
while they were discussing his performance I retrieved all
six balls from the net, suggesting he hit them all again in
no particular order.

The 'golf ball guy' was not happy, particularly when the
new set of results revealed that the ball my friend
normally used had now significantly outperformed his own
company's ball.

We then moved to another bay where a major club
manufacturer had a launch monitor installed.

After another computer setting-up process, my friend hit
three range balls dead straight into the distance with his
own driver. We were both convinced each ball had carried
the 250 yard marker comfortably, which was pretty much in
line with his average driver carry distance of around 275
yards.

Unfortunately the launch monitor showed a different story;
according to it, the carry distance was 234 yards with an
overall 'shot efficiency' of only 65% taking such things as
launch angle and spin rates as well as distance and
direction into account.

After another tweak of the computer, my friend was handed
the company's latest driver; another three good shots which
appeared little different from those with his own club and
another appraisal.

This time the results were far better; more distance, more
accuracy, better spin rates and an overall shot efficiency
of around 90%!

When we queried these results with what can best be
described as very probing questions, the guy finally
conceded that it looked as if his launch monitor was
"wrong" and "must have been affected by the sun"!

Whether or not in the two cases above the equipment was
wrong I shall leave for you to judge. The point is, enjoy
your 'Demo Day' but beware, you could well learn something
to your disadvantage.

How To Find Great Deals on Used Golf Course Mowers

no@spam.com (Christine OKelly) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:43:57 EDT

For golf course maintenance crews, golf course maintenance jobs are big business. If your landscaping company is planning to gain new accounts or continue strong relationships with existing accounts, you may need to replace a few mowers or pieces of equipment.

5 Steps To Achieving the Golf Swing of Pro Golfers

no@spam.com (Brendan Bunting) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:34:32 EDT

By taking note of the following tips and taking time to
work them out, you will surely be enjoying tournament
successes in no time. Developing the perfect golf swing
takes time and tons of practice. It also pays to take note
of how pro golfers execute their winning swings.

1. Ask any pro golfer, and he or she will tell you that the
power it takes to get that ball flying does not come from
the arms alone. Flow and use your entire body to achieve
maximum power. If you are used to fuelling the golf club
with your arms, wrist and hands, then you might struggle at
first trying to employ the rest of your body. Practice
hitting the ball with using your torso and legs. Once you
get the hang of swinging the club with your entire body,
you will notice that you are sending that ball flying with
more consistency and accuracy.

2. Swivel your shoulders perfectly each time you do a
backswing. Your right forearm should be parallel to your
spine and your left wrist is flat. To ensure you are doing
it the right way, your elbows and arms should form a
triangle. Make sure you got this effective position pat at
the top of your swing ñ you are guaranteed a perfectly
solid hit, and a more accurate one.

3. Many players dont make a solid hit because of two
reasons. First, the right way of pivoting the wrist is done
too late during the backswing because the takeaway is
likely to be too low to the ground. Second, achieving a bad
posture by swinging the club too far during the backswing,
thinking this is the right way to gain power. However,
taking note of a few things will help eradicate these
flaws. Make sure a 45-degree angle exists between your left
arm and the shaft of the club at setup. Your hands should
remain as close to the ground as possible during the
takeaway, while moving the head of the club upwards
rapidly. Notice how your left arm is parallel to the ground
and the shaft is perpendicular to it? This is about enough
to prevent you from swinging your arms too far at the
backswing; thus, putting off bad posture and reverse pivot.

4. Golf is an outdoor game, so itís best of you are able to
practice chipping outdoors. However, one is tempted to hit
chips indoors from time to time. You can perfect your
chipping with the help of a wooden rod or a busted club
shaft. Get the hang of your chipping technique ñ just make
sure that your left wrist remains solid as the club passes
through the area of impact. The rod or shaft you are using
will hit your left side should your left wrist give way
during the impact. Chipping is mastered with practice.

5. From time to time, even pro golfers get caught red
handed losing flex in their back legs as they try for
distance. Inconsistent swings constantly take the success
out of any game of golf. Itís best if you can view your
posture in a full-length mirror when you practice your
swings from time to time. Start with the setup position,
hold it then look at the mirror. Do the backswing, hold it
and observe your posture. This will help you determine your
postural flaws during your golf swing.

The Early History of Karate

no@spam.com (Jacob Lumbroso) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:49:33 EDT

Karate is a martial art originating in the Japanese
territory known as the Ryukyu Islands. It includes a
variety of techniques includig punching, kicking, knee and
elbow strikes and open-handed techniques such as
knife-hands and ridge-hands. Grappling, locks, throws, and
point strikes are also taught in some styles and in some
schools. Karate students are sometimes referred to as a
karateka.

Karate began as a fighting system referred to as "ti.After
trading contacts were established with the Ming dynasty of
China by King Satto of Chūzan in late 14th century,
various forms of Chinese martial arts were slowly
introduced to the Ryukyu Islands by the visitors from China.

A group of Chinese families moved to Okinawa near the end
of the 14th century where they established the Kumemura
community and shared their knowledge of a wide variety of
Chinese arts and sciences, including the Chinese martial
arts.

The centralization of governance and authority in Okinawa
by King Shō Hashi in the first half of the 15th century
and the banning of weapons enforced in Okinawa after the
invasion of the Shimazu clan, were also factors that
furthered the development of unarmed combat systems in
Okinawa.

Each teachers taught a particular kata as well as differing
techniques and principles that distinguished their local
version from that of others.

The adoption of empty-handed Chinese Wu Shu into Okinawan
fighting arts most likely transpired because of cultural
and political interchanges. Further influence came from
Southeast Asia from the regions of Sumatra, Java, and
Melaka. Many Okinawan weapons such as the sai, tonfa, and
nunchaku likely originated in and around Southeast Asia.

Sakukawa Kanga had studied bo staff fighting in China. In
1806 he started teaching a fighting art in Shuri that he
called "Tudi Sakukawa." This was the first known written
reference to the art of "Tudi." Around the 1820s Sakukawa's
most significant student Matsumura Sōkon who lived
till the end of the 19th century taught a synthesis of te
and Shaolin styles. Matsumura's style and techniques would
eventually develop into the Shōrin-ry& #363; karate
style.

The founder of Shotokan karate,Gichin Funakoshi, is
typically credited with having extended the reach and
popularity of karate on the Japanese home islandss though
the spread is more likely through many Okinawans who were
actively teaching, and are thus equally responsible for the
popularization of karate.

Funakoshi was a student of both Asato Ankō and Itosu
Ankō who had worked to introduce karate to the Okinawa
Prefectural School System. During this time period,
prominent teachers who also influenced the spread of karate
in Japan included Kenwa Mabuni, Chōjun Miyagi, Motobu
Chōki, Kanken Tōyama, and Kanbun Uechi.

Gauteng Sport Stadium Upgrades for 2010

no@spam.com (Sandra Olivier) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:20:06 EDT

A new feature film called the Human Factor, directed by
Clint Eastwood is about to start shooting. Based on South
Africa's 1995 World Cup victory and Nelson Mandela this
reflects a great moment in our country's history. You only
have to watch some of the commercials on television to
realise how much of our advertising reflects this.

2010 has brought with it the opportunity to upgrade many of
our Province's facilities, adding world class glamour to
these potential locations. But be prepared for some major
filming restrictions before, during and after both the
Confederations Cup in June 2009 and the World Cup in June
2010, especially in the surrounding precincts of the three
official stadia.

There are also expected to be minor restrictions for
training stadia and base camps (some of which still have to
be announced). Although Johannesburg and Tshwane may be
over-subscribed during the Confederations Cup and World
Cup, remember that Gauteng has many other great
opportunities in terms of sports grounds and accommodation
and would be delighted to host film crews!

Gauteng definitely is not just about the 'big three' 2010
FIFA World Cup stadiums and the Province has many sports
grounds throughout the main cities and towns, some of which
have been in the international spotlight before.

Two of South Africa's most important rugby stadia are in
Gauteng: Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane, home of the Blue
Bulls, and Ellis Park (recently renamed Coca-Cola Park) in
Johannesburg, where the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup
in 1995. Also within the Ellis Park precinct is the Joburg
Stadium, which is dedicated to athletics. The official home
of Gauteng cricket is The Wanderers Cricket Stadium.
Together with Supersport Park in Centurion, Tshwane, and
Willowmoore Park in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, it played a
significant role in the success of the 2003 Cricket World
Cup.

Gauteng is to be home to three 2010 FIFA World Cup
stadiums. Ellis Park stadium and Soccer City stadium in
Johannesburg and Tshwane's Loftus Versfeld are all being
upgraded to World Cup standards. Loftus Versfeld and Royal
Bafokeng are privately-owned venues, while Ellis Park is on
long-lease arrangement, with Soccer City stadium, which was
previously owned and managed by the South African Football
Association, being returned to the State, and managed by
the City of Johannesburg.

Johannesburg 2010: Soccer City Stadium, or the FNB Stadium
as it is known, situated in Nasrec, is the flagship venue
for the Soccer World Cup 2010, and it will be hosting both
the opening match and the final. Soccer City Stadium is the
largest in Africa. The stadium provides 80 000 plastic
bucket seats, and has a two metre 'moat' to protect the
players from the fans. The upper tier has been extended
around the stadium and 99 corporate boxes added, to
increase the capacity to 94 700. An encircling roof was
added, creating the impression of a giant calabash. Soccer
City is home to the South African Football Association and
the home ground for Orlando Pirates.

With four months to go before the 2009 FIFA Confederations
Cup kicks off in June, renovations at Ellis Park, the host
stadium of the opening and final matches, are complete with
only final touches left. Ellis Park has undergone major
changes. A new roof has been added with the west, south and
north stands being revamped and additional seating added.
New change rooms, VIP, media and medical facilities and a
new entrance facade to the north stand have been built. It
can now seat 62 000 football fans.

With the completion of the stadium, the focus has shifted
towards the precinct upgrade, which is also nearing
completion. Landscaping includes a water feature between
Ellis Park Stadium and Johannesburg Stadium as well as
public art installations. The Olympic-size swimming pool in
the sports precinct has also been upgraded.

Johannesburg is also host to training venues. Dobsonville
Stadium in Soweto has undergone refurbishments to the tune
of R69million in preparation for being one of the three
official training venues for the World Cup. The old stadium
has been completely revamped, with a new grandstand and
world-class facilities added. It has a contemporary design
with a roof covering spectators on the grandstand. Four
floodlit towers at each of the four corners of the stadium
will provide lighting. New polycarbonate seat have been
installed all round the stadium and it will double up as an
athletics venue and a synthetic track.

The other two training venues are Orlando Stadium, also in
Soweto, and Rand Stadium, in the south of the City.

Tshwane 2010: Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Sunnyside is one
of South Africa's oldest and most established stadiums and
the site has been used for sports events since 1903.
Construction at the stadium is almost complete. The new
roof over the eastern pavilion is a major upgrade project.

In addition, the stadium is also receiving new media and
venue operations centres. Loftus is home to the premier
soccer league club, Mamelodi Sundowns, as well as the Blue
Bulls.

Tshwane's training venues include the Super Stadium at
Atteridgeville, a 25 000 seat stadium. Since 2007 the
stadium has undergone substantial upgrade including the
construction of a new main pavilion, VIP suites and new
flood lighting and is now at a stage where it can be used
for international matches. The HM Pitje Stadium is also a
25 000 seater and its 2010 upgrade includes a brand new
main pavilion.

Ekurhuleni 2010: While none of the World Cup matches will
be played in Ekurhuleni, there are four potential practice
stadiums namely Sinaba, Vosloosrus, Makhulong, and
Katlehong stadiums. Construction at Makhulong Stadium is
well on track and scheduled to be ready by the middle of
2009.

With a planned capacity of about 15 000 seats, the stadium
will comply with all FIFA and Premier Soccer League (PSL)
requirements. These include flood lights, player and
management facilities, security, amenities, VIP and V-VIP
areas as well as a 200 square meter media facility. Mogale
City Kaizer Chiefs will become the first team in South
Africa to own their own stadium when the 55 000 Seater
Amakhosi Stadium is completed this year.

The new stadium, which is being developed at a cost of R1.2
billion, will be part of a greater sports precinct being
developed 40km West of Johannesburg.

Sedibeng: Although not an official training ground the
George Thabe Stadium in Vereeniging has been upgraded. A
lot of work is being done in and around the stadium as part
of a larger Sedibeng 2010 precincts project.