Training centre to accelerate sports development
World class international training centre to accelerate sports development in the country.
SPORTS development is a major contributor in promoting social cohesion, economic development and tourism in the country, and to this end, the eThekwini Municipality in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government and South African Football Association (SAFA) will undertake to financially support the construction of a multi-million rand KZN International Training Centre and Provincial Football Academy aimed at identifying and grooming upcoming sports stars.
The Project is being spearheaded by Hoy Park Management and all operational logistics will be handled by the company.
The Centre, a first of its kind in the country, will house a football training academy, an international high performing centre, medical, recreational and accommodation facilities, amongst other things. It will offer training and mentorship programmes for young footballers who wish to pursue a career in football. Other sports codes such as rugby, cycling will also be able to use the facility for training purposes.
In keeping with the City’s vision to create an all-inclusive sports hub, the Kings Park precinct has been identified as an ideal location for the construction of the world-class facility. This is because Moses Mabhida Stadium, the Growth Point Stadium, the Kings Park Swimming Pool and Athletics Stadium are in close proximity to the identified site. This will boost the City’s Sports Tourism as athletes and sports personnel will be able to move around the venues with ease, attracting local, national and international athletes into the City for their pre, during and post season training sessions.
Specialists in the fields of sports psychology, nutrition, biokineticists, physical training and physiotherapy will be sourced locally as well as administration, financial, grounds-men, maintenance, cleaning, laundry and catering personnel that will be required for the Centre’s day-to-day operation.
For financial sustainability, the Centre will host sports men and women, football clubs and other sporting codes for their pre, during and post season training. It is also envisaged that the Centre will host one international game per year, with a percentage of the gate keepings and sponsorships going towards the Centre’s operational costs.
