Joburg Set to Host 8th FASU Games [Federation of Africa University Sports] & Conference at UJ

By Irene Louw

niversity of Johannesburg set to host the 8thFASU [Federation of Africa University Sports] Conference from 26 June – 2 July 2016 , Joburg Tourism will be supporting the event, hosting delegates on a city tour prior to the opening.

In line with Joburg Tourism’s Domestic Tourism Awareness Campaign [#Welcome2Jozi] which encourages locals to go the extra mile in showing all our visitors a good time, this event provides an ideal opportunity to remind Joburgers that “Sports is Our Tourism”, contributing significantly to our local economy.

Sports visitors to Joburg
When it comes to hosting major sporting events, Joburg has excelled. The city has hosted the Rugby World Cup and Cricket World Cup finals, A1 Grand Prix, Indian Premier League, World Cup of Golf, ICC Champions Trophy, World Twenty 20 Championship, FINA swimming World Cup, World Cup of Athletics and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Sports enthusiasts –both participants and spectators - are amazed by the warm welcome they receive from Joburgers, the quality of its facilities and its range of attractions.

Many domestic and regional visitors come to Johannesburg for events such as the Soweto Derby, Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge, Freedom Ride, 702 Walk the Talk, and the Sansui Summer Cup.

The Johannesburg Zoo and many of Joburg’s parks also play host to several great running, walking and cycling events. For example, there are popular Parkrun events that take place every Saturday morning at Delta Park, Lonehill Park, Len Rutter Park, Mofolo Park, Alberts Farm and Golden Harvest.

The Jozi Urban Mountain Bike Adventure (JUMA) took place on 29 May 2016, offering participants a 54km cycle and 22km cycle through Joburg’s parks and city streets, starting at Marks Park in Emmarentia. The route included Delta Park, Roosevelt Park, Melville Koppies, Johannesburg Botanical Garden and Zoo Lake.

City Parks launched Ride, Run, Walk on 5 December 2015. It is to become an annual park-to-park run. Last year, participants ran between Bezuidenhout Park in Observatory and Rhodes Park in Kensington to commemorate 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.

The Johannesburg Zoo also hosts the Zoo Trot every second Sunday of the month.

Sports spectators are generally passionate travelers and high spenders. They usually like to celebrate or commiserate after an event, which provides opportunities for restaurants, clubs and pubs to show them a good time.

Johannesburg’s Sports and Recreation department oversees 551 sports and recreation facilities in the city including 394 sports facilities, 98 recreation facilities and 59 aquatic facilities.