Budget Cuts Expected As 2013 Africa Cup Of Nations LOC Begins Marketing Campaign

The Local Organizing Committee of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations begins its "intense marketing campaign in earnest," but budget cuts are expected, according to Mazola Molefe of the SOWETAN LIVE. LOC CEO Mvuso Mbebe said that while the government had allocated R452M ($52.3M) to help fund the tournament, the amount "was still 4% short of what had been requested." Mbebe said, "Anyone in finance will tell you that they always want more (money) for a project. We expected 50% from the government to fund the hosting of such a tournament, but we got 46%, and we will have to make it work." He also maintained that November would be a "crucial month for the organising committee." The committee is trying to avoid a ticket fiasco, as well as empty stadiums, ahead of the tournament. Mbebe also revealed that LOC's ticket sales target for December is "between 300,000 to 400,000" (SOWETAN LIVE, 11/1).