By Nangamso Mabindla
23 November 2007

A RICH cultural and political heritage, clean air, beaches, rivers, mountains, and friendly people - these are just some of the important aspects that make Buffalo City a preferred sports tourism destination.

This was the word from Executive Mayor Zintle Peter after East London was named as the venue for the country's biggest tennis tournament, the South African Tennis Open.

"If you visit our City Hall in Oxford Street, you will see three memorials - the first one is of a soldier on a horse, which commemorates the fallen of the [South African] War; the second is of a hero of South Africa's struggle for freedom, Bantu Stephen Biko; and the third is of Archbishop Desmond Tutu," she said, adding that these proved that the city was one of the richest in South Africa in terms of cultural and political heritage.

Other aspects that made East London unique were the city's hospitality, the high standard of facilities and the beautiful environment in which athletes competed.

"Where else can you play a game of tennis in the morning, go on a game drive in an international-class game reserve in the afternoon, and walk on the beach in the evening, before having a meal at a very good restaurant?"

Peter said that the City had spent millions of rand in its efforts to attract big sporting events like the SA Open.

"The Selborne Tennis Complex is one of a number of examples of significant investments that the City has made, including the Jan Smuts Athletics Stadium, the Buffalo Flats Hockey Astro Turf, the Joan Harrison Swimming Pool and the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane."

The mayor also thanked the South African Tennis Association and South African Airways for bringing the tournament to Buffalo City. The SA Open kicks off on 12 February and runs until 17 February at Selborne Tennis Park in East London.