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OFM Business Hour: Cricket tour anticipated to attract 13 000 first timers to Bloemfontein

───   OLEBOGENG MOTSE 21:33 Thu, 26 Jan 2023

OFM Business Hour: Cricket tour anticipated to attract 13 000 first timers to Bloemfontein  | News Article
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Free State Cricket Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Johan van Heerden, anticipates that the upcoming South Africa vs England One Day International (ODI) series will draw 13 000 first timers to Bloemfontein.

The Free State Cricket boss tells the OFM Business Hour the presence of these spectators in the "City of Roses" for the weekend will inject much-needed revenue into the Free State economy. This is via the occupation of local guesthouses and hotels as well as the utilisation of restaurants in the city over the weekend.

Van Heerden says the last time there was a cricket tour of this calibre at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein was four years ago, when the Aussies were in the country. “It’s so nice that we have some cricket coming to the central region. As everybody knows we have been excluded from the SA 20, so bringing international sporting events to the city is fantastic. We can't wait to entertain the whole of Bloemfontein with two great sides,” said the FS Cricket CEO excitedly.

The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality under which Bloemfontein falls, on Tuesday 24 January 2022 pledged its support to Free State Cricket via the hosting of the series, adding that their support includes the supply of a generator to ensure the matches take place despite the presence of load-shedding. Van Heerden says the metro has been immensely supportive. Mangaung Metro spokesperson, Qondile Khedama, has echoed the FS Cricket boss' sentiments on this support. 

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There will be kiosks in the stadium to satisfy spectators’ needs, may it be in the form of alcohol or food. The North Eastern side of the stadium is where spectators can braai their meat. 

ALSO READ: #OFMBusinessHour: SA vs Wales test match anticipated to inject R48-million into BFN economy

In July 2022, South Africa’s clash with Wales in Bloemfontein was anticipated to inject roughly R48 million into the economy of the Free State's capital, with at least 27 000 visitors descending upon the city during that event. 

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