The countdown to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa has begun in earnest and the spotlight falls on the venues as soccer fans from around the world check out the destinations from where their favoured teams begin the adventure which they all hope will lead to the Final at Soccer City, Johannesburg on July 11th.
Polokwane, previously known as Pietersburg, with a population of more than half a million is the capital of Limpopo Province and is bordered by three of South Africa's neighbours: Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Situated on a plateau 1300m above sea level Polokwane has a pleasant climate and World Cup daytime temperatures would be in the range 20-25°C. The area is mainly grassland surrounded by scenic granite hills. Fans taking time out from the football can visit the mystical Lake Fundudzi and the surrounding Thathe Vondo Forest, sacred to the Venda people. In the city you can visit the historic Irish House which houses the Polokwane Museum and for later there's the Meropa Entertainment and Casino Complex with its slot machines and gaming tables.
The newly constructed Peter Mokaba Stadium, situated 5km from the city centre, with a capacity of 45,000 will play host to four group matches from June 13th to June 24th. First up on June 13th Algeria play Slovenia in a Group C match timed to kick off at 13.30. The evening of June 17th sees the Group A clash between France and Mexico at 20.30. Greece and Argentina are paired for a Group B match at 20.30 on June 22nd. The final match takes place between Paraguay and New Zealand at 16.00 on June 24th in Group F after which interest moves on to the Round of 16 which kicks off on June 26th at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth.
Polokwane is served by Polokwane International Airport (PTG). South African Airways, operated by Airlink, with connections to Johannesburg is the only major carrier.
The distance from Polokwane to the other World Cup 2010 venues is as follows:
Johannesburg 331 Km, Nelspruit 320 Km, Rustenburg 376 Km, Bloemfontein 750 Km, Cape Town 1736 Km, Port Elizabeth 1393 Km, Pretoria 273 Km, Durban 929 Km.
Dan has been writing articles on sports and other subjects for some time. His guide to 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Venues can be found here World Cup Venues and for games on a smaller scale USB Missile Launchers [http://www.missilelauncherusb.net/].
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