Cape Town - The Cape Chamber of Commerce has urged the City of Cape Town to host African Cup of Nations matches next year as it will boost business, it was reported on Tuesday.
Chamber chairman Michael Bagraim told the Cape Times it would benefit the city in the long run.
"Soccer is good for the city. It puts us on the map, brings tourists from Africa especially and brings money into the coffers of even the smallest businesses," he said.
The city missed the deadline for the signing of host city agreements last Friday, saying the costs were too high and uncertain as the estimated R27 million could balloon to R40 million.
It suggested that organisers pay 25 percent of costs and the National Treasury guarantee 50 percent.
The city and the Western Cape government would cover the remaining 25 percent.
Mayoral committee member for tourism, events and marketing, Grant Pascoe, told the newspaper the city was still interested in hosting matches.
The SA Football Association would likely make a host city decision on Thursday.
Chamber chairman Michael Bagraim told the Cape Times it would benefit the city in the long run.
"Soccer is good for the city. It puts us on the map, brings tourists from Africa especially and brings money into the coffers of even the smallest businesses," he said.
The city missed the deadline for the signing of host city agreements last Friday, saying the costs were too high and uncertain as the estimated R27 million could balloon to R40 million.
It suggested that organisers pay 25 percent of costs and the National Treasury guarantee 50 percent.
The city and the Western Cape government would cover the remaining 25 percent.
Mayoral committee member for tourism, events and marketing, Grant Pascoe, told the newspaper the city was still interested in hosting matches.
The SA Football Association would likely make a host city decision on Thursday.