After two years of preparation, the Johannesburg Gay Games bid committee will present its final bid to host the 2010 Gay Games on November 12 in Chicago, it said in a statement on Wednesday.
Johannesburg is bidding against Paris, France, and Cologne, Germany.
The Federation of Gay Games will announce the 2010 host at 11pm South African time on November 13.
The bid is being led by the city’s gay and lesbian community and the specially created Section 21 non-profit organisation that includes more than 50 active members contributing thousands of volunteer hours.
James Mathias, bid co-chairperson, will lead the delegation of nine. The City of Johannesburg will be represented by councillor Christine Walters on behalf of mayor Amos Masondo. Eddy Khosa, CEO of the Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC), a key bid supporter, will join Bongi Mokaba, the director of special events for the city.
Johannesburg’s bid was lodged on March 15 this year and three delegates from the federation did a site inspection in August.
”We surprised ourselves with how highly our venues rate, and our community support nearly overwhelmed them,” said Mathias in the statement. ”There was exceptional support from the government, civic society and the community, with people coming out to welcome the delegates and show their active support for the Games being held in Johannesburg.
”We know, from research done at the 2002 Sydney Games, that almost 5 000 of the expected participants come from North America and about as many from Europe. This is not just a sporting and cultural event for them — it is a trip of a lifetime,” said Gauteng Tourism Authority CEO Cawe Mahlati.
”Most won’t just come for the eight-day Games. They’ll take a few weeks and that gives the entire province — and country — an opportunity to benefit.”
The JTC’s Khosa said the venues for the various sports and cultural events are highly rated. The infrastructure is outstanding, although the transport structure is viewed as problematic and there are unfortunate views of safety.
”But the general capacity is world class — our venues, hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, cultural offerings and other amenities are of a very high standard. Where we came up short, we’ll fix,” Khosa said.
The operational budget submitted as part of the bid is set at approximately R48-million. The economic benefits for Johannesburg, based on SA Tourism estimated spend amounts, are easily more than R400-million, with multimillion-rand spin-offs in Gauteng and other provinces (mainly in respect of pre- and post-Games tourism by participants and visitors to the Games).
Job creation is also supported, with 38 part- and full-time jobs, mostly starting in 2007; at least 402 support jobs during the Games for organisers, coaches, medical support and the likes; and hundreds more jobs for transportation, catering, sponsors and others.
A big media contingent is also expected — a United States cable TV station is ready to negotiate a million-dollar deal with the 2010 host as soon as the host is announced.
If Johannesburg gets the nod for the Games, more than 11 000 participants will take part in at least 27 sports and several cultural activities at various venues throughout Johannesburg approximately 12 weeks after the Soccer World Cup in the city.