All systems go for final draw in Cape Town
27 November 2009, 15:10
By Clayton Barnes
The stage is set and the cameras ready to beam Fifa's final draw to the world.
In exactly a week, more than 5 000 guests and dignitaries will gather at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) for what promises to be the most spectacular final draw in the history of the World Cup.
Expected to be watched by more than 700 million people, next Friday's draw will determine the groups in which the 32 teams will compete, and at which venues.
A total of 3 254 people are involved in putting the draw together, including 1 587 security officials - police and private, 400 host city staff, 80 entertainers and 380 volunteers. The ceremony will be screened in more than 200 countries and shown live on big screens in Long Street and other venues across the world.
During a sneak preview of the elaborate set yesterday, executive producer George Mazarakis said the ceremony would be the best Fifa final draw yet.
The event would showcase not only South Africa's ability to deliver a successful World Cup, but also celebrate Africa's humanity.
"The final draw is more than just a TV show, it's a celebration of football and Africa," said Mazarakis.
He said 18 cameras would be set up strategically to "take the broadcast to the world".
The stage, with three enormous screens, is 40m wide, 30m deep and 8m tall. Absent yesterday were the draw boxes and table, which is set to be installed next week.
David Ausseil, Fifa's final draw project manager, said the machine and mechanism used to operate the draw boxes was still being decided on, and would be explained in detail after next week's Fifa organising committee meeting.
Soccer stars and dignitaries who would assist during the draw would be announced on Monday. Among the celebrities expected are England icon David Beckham and South African-born actress Charlize Theron.
About 1 100m2 of printed material will be used on set.
The black, reflective vinyl flooring is about 500m2 and the set structure consumed about 6.5 tons of steel.
The four columns on stage, the baobabs, consist of about 1 200m of 50mm round tubing, the ceiling rings used 1 400m of 25m2 tubing and 200m2 of fabric.
Most of the set was built, printed and finished in Cape Town.
Final draw event manager Teral Cullen said the Fifa meetings next week would culminate in a "spectacular" draw.
"We are looking forward to finally staging it," said Cullen. "The production is huge and there is a great vibe behind the scenes."
Peter Kwele, general manager for 2010 strategic marketing and communications, said the SABC's broadcasting units were all capable of taking the action to the viewers live.
"We have 18 broadcasting units stationed outside the venue, which will take the draw to millions of viewers across the world."
The Soweto Gospel Choir, Beninoise singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo and Johnny Clegg are among the entertainers for the night.
The stage is set and the cameras ready to beam Fifa's final draw to the world.
In exactly a week, more than 5 000 guests and dignitaries will gather at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) for what promises to be the most spectacular final draw in the history of the World Cup.
Expected to be watched by more than 700 million people, next Friday's draw will determine the groups in which the 32 teams will compete, and at which venues.
A total of 3 254 people are involved in putting the draw together, including 1 587 security officials - police and private, 400 host city staff, 80 entertainers and 380 volunteers. The ceremony will be screened in more than 200 countries and shown live on big screens in Long Street and other venues across the world.
During a sneak preview of the elaborate set yesterday, executive producer George Mazarakis said the ceremony would be the best Fifa final draw yet.
The event would showcase not only South Africa's ability to deliver a successful World Cup, but also celebrate Africa's humanity.
"The final draw is more than just a TV show, it's a celebration of football and Africa," said Mazarakis.
He said 18 cameras would be set up strategically to "take the broadcast to the world".
The stage, with three enormous screens, is 40m wide, 30m deep and 8m tall. Absent yesterday were the draw boxes and table, which is set to be installed next week.
David Ausseil, Fifa's final draw project manager, said the machine and mechanism used to operate the draw boxes was still being decided on, and would be explained in detail after next week's Fifa organising committee meeting.
Soccer stars and dignitaries who would assist during the draw would be announced on Monday. Among the celebrities expected are England icon David Beckham and South African-born actress Charlize Theron.
About 1 100m2 of printed material will be used on set.
The black, reflective vinyl flooring is about 500m2 and the set structure consumed about 6.5 tons of steel.
The four columns on stage, the baobabs, consist of about 1 200m of 50mm round tubing, the ceiling rings used 1 400m of 25m2 tubing and 200m2 of fabric.
Most of the set was built, printed and finished in Cape Town.
Final draw event manager Teral Cullen said the Fifa meetings next week would culminate in a "spectacular" draw.
"We are looking forward to finally staging it," said Cullen. "The production is huge and there is a great vibe behind the scenes."
Peter Kwele, general manager for 2010 strategic marketing and communications, said the SABC's broadcasting units were all capable of taking the action to the viewers live.
"We have 18 broadcasting units stationed outside the venue, which will take the draw to millions of viewers across the world."
The Soweto Gospel Choir, Beninoise singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo and Johnny Clegg are among the entertainers for the night.
- This article was originally published in The Cape Argus on November 27, 2009
Pretoria
