“We have been nominated and there is a good chance that we can win. They looked at the design, landscape and environmental factors,” said Nike SA’s Seruscka Naidoo.

The facility is used as a training ground by nearly 20000 young footballers every year and is also an HIV-Aids educational centre.

“The facility is open to the community at large since it was officially opened on June 9 last year. It benefits the community and there are tournament games that have been taking place. As Nike we are very proud to be nominated for this prestigious international award,” said Naidoo.

If it is crowned the World Building of the Year 2011, the centre will join Limpopo’s Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre, the site of an ancient trading civilisation located in the Mapungubwe National Park. This structure won the award in 2009.

The Nike building is one of 704 entries from 59 countries competing for the annual World Architecture Festival awards, which take place in Barcelona, Spain, from November 2 to 4.

South African Football Association (Safa), CEO, Robin Petersen said they supported any football development in the country. “We are extremely happy when football development is being recognised and we wish them all the best.”

The festival, described as the “world’s largest architectural meeting for architects, suppliers and clients”, culminates in the awards ceremony. This year’s event is the fourth edition and has attracted the most entries since its inception.

There are three main sections: completed buildings, structural design and future projects. The South African entry is nominated in the first category.

Rivals for the award include an office made of bamboo in India, Sweden’s Tree Hotel and a straw-made theatre in Estonia.

RESOURCE: The New Age

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