By MIKE LOEWE
Pumped up young rugby players will fill the metro’s fields, beachfront hotels, pubs and restaurants at the weekend when 30 university teams from South Africa and Namibia arrive to contest for glory.
The annual University Sport South Africa (USSA) competition hosted this year by Walter Sisulu University (WSU) has attracted about 800 rugby players aged 19 to 24.
Border Rugby’s commercial and marketing manager Akhona Mgijima said the event was worth millions to the city. He estimated the 800 players together with 2000 supporters would start arriving “from Limpopo to Cape Town” on Saturday and Sunday.
They will battle it out in four categories: the Varsity Cup (A section), Varsity Shield (B section), a C section where teams fight to qualify for the shield division and a D section for smaller universities wanting to get in on the action.
The event starts on Sunday with registration and ends next Friday.
Local organising committee (LOC) chairman and head of sport at WSU Bongo Nontshinga said the city and region would come alive with sport and tourism.
“A lot of business will come to East London, which will become a rugby city. We are really excited and proud to host this and we know the community will come out and support the players.”
Border Rugby will provide 30 referees and management support and Mgijima said the city would get “to see a lot of young talent”.
“Most players are discovered here by provincial unions.
“It’s an opportunity for Border Rugby to look at players too.”
A number of international rugby talent scouts are expected to be in the stands.
“They will come from all unions and from oversees to see what’s on the market. They come from Romania, France and Georgia.”
He said the city’s nightlife could expect a major influx of players after games on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights.
“They will go out at night without a doubt, whether they get permission or not, mostly in the Quigney, to restaurants on the beachfront.”
BCM spokesman Sibusiso Cindi said: “Buffalo City Metro Tourism is delighted at the opportunity for the city to host this event.”
Tourism benefits would be felt in “accommodation, meals, and transport”.
BCM Tourism will be providing players and spectators with information on things to do in the city.
Les Holbrook, director of the Border-Kei Chamber of Business, said: “A mass participation event such as this one, is great for the metro. It does as much for the branding and positioning as it does for the actual spend.”
Mgijima said games would kick off at 8.30am, with the opening ceremony at the Buffalo City Stadium on Monday at 2pm.
On Monday July 3, matches are scheduled for Old Selbornians, Buffaloes Club and Buffalo City Stadium for the main games. On Wednesday July 5 Old Selbornians and Buffaloes will again host games while on Friday July 8 Old Selbornians, Hudson Park and Port Rex High fields will be used.
The finals on Friday kick off at Buffaloes Club from 8.30am (Varsity Shield); 10am (C section qualifiers) and 11.50am (Varsity Cup). — mikel@dispatch.co.za
Varsity rugby fest set to give metro a boost
Pumped up young rugby players will fill the metro’s fields, beachfront hotels, pubs and restaurants at the weekend when 30 university teams from South Africa and Namibia arrive to contest for glory.
The annual University Sport South Africa (USSA) competition hosted this year by Walter Sisulu University (WSU) has attracted about 800 rugby players aged 19 to 24.
Border Rugby’s commercial and marketing manager Akhona Mgijima said the event was worth millions to the city. He estimated the 800 players together with 2000 supporters would start arriving “from Limpopo to Cape Town” on Saturday and Sunday.
They will battle it out in four categories: the Varsity Cup (A section), Varsity Shield (B section), a C section where teams fight to qualify for the shield division and a D section for smaller universities wanting to get in on the action.
The event starts on Sunday with registration and ends next Friday.
Local organising committee (LOC) chairman and head of sport at WSU Bongo Nontshinga said the city and region would come alive with sport and tourism.
“A lot of business will come to East London, which will become a rugby city. We are really excited and proud to host this and we know the community will come out and support the players.”
Border Rugby will provide 30 referees and management support and Mgijima said the city would get “to see a lot of young talent”.
“Most players are discovered here by provincial unions.
“It’s an opportunity for Border Rugby to look at players too.”
A number of international rugby talent scouts are expected to be in the stands.
“They will come from all unions and from oversees to see what’s on the market. They come from Romania, France and Georgia.”
He said the city’s nightlife could expect a major influx of players after games on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights.
“They will go out at night without a doubt, whether they get permission or not, mostly in the Quigney, to restaurants on the beachfront.”
BCM spokesman Sibusiso Cindi said: “Buffalo City Metro Tourism is delighted at the opportunity for the city to host this event.”
Tourism benefits would be felt in “accommodation, meals, and transport”.
BCM Tourism will be providing players and spectators with information on things to do in the city.
Les Holbrook, director of the Border-Kei Chamber of Business, said: “A mass participation event such as this one, is great for the metro. It does as much for the branding and positioning as it does for the actual spend.”
Mgijima said games would kick off at 8.30am, with the opening ceremony at the Buffalo City Stadium on Monday at 2pm.
On Monday July 3, matches are scheduled for Old Selbornians, Buffaloes Club and Buffalo City Stadium for the main games. On Wednesday July 5 Old Selbornians and Buffaloes will again host games while on Friday July 8 Old Selbornians, Hudson Park and Port Rex High fields will be used.
The finals on Friday kick off at Buffaloes Club from 8.30am (Varsity Shield); 10am (C section qualifiers) and 11.50am (Varsity Cup). — mikel@dispatch.co.za
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