- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Hosts say England's World Cup base is ready
- Date: 26th May 2010
- Summary: PHOKENG, SOUTH AFRICA (MAY 24, 2010) (REUTERS) WIDE OF ROYAL BAFOKENG SPORTS CAMPUS CLOSE UP OF ENGLAND FLAG ENGLAND NATIONAL TEAM BADGE OVERHEAD VIEW OF HOTEL AND SWIMMING POOL VIEW OF SWIMMING POOL WITH HOTEL IN BACKGROUND MORE OF SWIMMING POOL AND HOTEL WIDE OF FOOTBALL PITCH SPRINKLERS SPRAYING WATER ON FOOTBALL PITCH (SOUNDBITE) (English) MPUELENG POOE, SPOKESPERSON, ROYAL BAFOKENG NATION SAYING "Without a doubt we can say that the facility is ready to host the English team." ENTRANCE TO THE ROYAL MARANG HOTEL LOBBY OF THE HOTEL WITH STATUES OF FOOTBALLERS WIDE OF STATUES AND CHAIRS IN LOBBY FURNITURE IN UPSTAIRS LOUNGE VARIOUS OF WINE CELLAR CORRIDOR LEADING TO HOTEL ROOMS/ PAN TO HOTEL ROOM DOOR INTERIOR OF HOTEL ROOM PAN OF BATHROOM COFFEE MACHINE IN HOTEL ROOM MORE OF LOBBY (SOUNDBITE) (English) MPUELENG POOE, SPOKESPERSON, ROYAL BAFOKENG NATION SAYING: "The English team will have world class accommodation. They will have world class training facilities and fields. They will have a fully equipped gym and an indoor swimming pool and all other facilities that go with wellness centres of a world class nature." SWIMMING POOL AND JACUZZIS VARIOUS OF GYM EQUIPMENT
- Embargoed: 10th June 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: South Africa
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVAE7SZGU7AFFAUI0VCEQL3BX9K4
- Story Text: England's hosts in South Africa have declared that everything is ready for the team's arrival ahead of the World Cup.
England will be exclusive residents of the 82-room five-star Royal Mareng Hotel, all tasteful browns and beiges, appears to have everything to help a top class soccer player to relax, from king-size beds to swimming pools, a gym and an on-site medical centre. The hotel website invites its guests to : " sink your feet into plush carpets. run your hands over beckoning furnishings and experience exclusivity. elegance and absolute luxury."
" Without a doubt we shall say that the facility is ready to host the English team, " said Mpuelong Pooe, spokesperson for the Royal Bafokeng Nation. "The English team will have world class accommodation. They will have world class training facilities and fields. They will have a fully equipped gym and an indoor swimming pool and all other facilities that go with wellness centres of a world class nature."
England coach Fabio Capello declared himself happy with their World Cup base back in February following media reports that the complex was only half completed and substandard. There were originally doubts whether the training facilities at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus would be ready in time. There were also misgivings about the quality of the training pitches. The hotel has been open for months and the sports centre is due to officially open later this week.
The Royal Bafokeng tribe in the area is Africa's richest, earning a per centage of the platinum mines situated there.
England play their first World Cup match against the United States four kilometres away in the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on June 12. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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