VOA标准英语2010年-FIFA Fan Parks a Hit In Johannesburg

A dance troope performs near an outdoor FIFA-sponsored¹ fan park in Johannesburg, South Africa

There are many ways to watch World Cup action in Johannesburg.  The lucky people have tickets to the matches.  For others, there are numerous² restaurants and bars around the city that show the action on television.  Also popular are the fan parks FIFA, the international soccer organization, has built in three locations. 

FIFA sponsored fan parks have become a big hit around Johannesburg. There are three around the city.  This one, in Newtown, near downtown, is the largest.  Today, fans have gathered to watch Germany take on Serbia on this large screen.  Thebe Moabelo says its fun to share the spirit of the World Cup with complete strangers at the fan parks.

"It is so nice, we are watching soccer, I dont even know his name but I can just say, Yo, what is the score my man?  You see that? [he doesn't] even have to ask me what my name is.  That is why I come to fan parks."

The parks are also a place to have fun between matches.  There are street performers of all kinds.

And a soccer ring for kids to play in.

Fan parks are also a place for people to learn about African culture.  There are African arts and crafts³ of all kinds for sale. 

Ester Githinji agreed to show us some of the pieces she was selling.  She has a collection of handmade African dolls from the Ndebele, Zulu, and Swazi tribes⁴.

"In South Africa there are many tribes," she explained.  "These are their colors and this is how you can tell this is a Ndebele from a Zulu."

There is also plenty of food.  But the main attraction is the soccer.  On this day, Germany was defeated by Serbia. After the match the crowd heads for the food stalls⁵.  There will be another match in about an hour, but the fun continues.

 

1 sponsored   

v.赞助( sponsor的过去式和过去分词)；资助（某人的培训或教育）；为慈善活动捐资；发起，倡议adj.赞助的；发起的

参考例句：

• The exhibition was sponsored by the Society of Culture. 这个展览会是由文化学会主办的。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• The company sponsored several TV programs. 这家公司赞助了几个电视节目。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 numerous   

adj.为数众多的；极多的

参考例句：

• There have been numerous exchanges of views between the two governments.两国政府间曾多次交换意见。
• There are numerous people in the square. 有许多人在广场上。

3 crafts   

n.工艺( craft的名词复数 )；行业；飞机；飞行器

参考例句：

• traditional crafts like basket-weaving 像编篮子之类的传统工艺
• an arts and crafts emporium 工艺品商店

4 tribes   

n.部落( tribe的名词复数 )；（动、植物的）族；（一）帮；大群

参考例句：

• tribes living in remote areas of the Amazonian rainforest 居住在亚马孙河雨林偏远地区的部落
• In Africa the snake is still sacred with many tribes. 非洲许多部落仍认为蛇是不可冒犯的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 stalls   

n.戏院正厅前排座位，前座观众；摊( stall的名词复数 )；熄火；厩；（房间内的）小隔间

参考例句：

• market stalls selling cheap bric-a-brac 集市上出售廉价小摆设的货摊
• the front row of the stalls 正厅第一排