South Africa World Cup 2010 Visitor Information Center To Launch In Polokwane On Friday

South Africa's Tourism Minister, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, will launch a 2010 Visitor Information Center (VIC) in Polokwane on Friday that will ensure tourists arriving in the city for the FIFA South Africa World Cup 2010 get the best advice and information.

“The primary objective of the VIC project is to effectively address the tourism needs of visitors expected to converge in the five host cities in 2010 and beyond,” said the Tourism Department in a statement.

In July this year, the first three VICs were launched in the Eastern Cape. The three centers are based at the Port Elizabeth Airport, the lighthouse facility at the Donkin Reserve and the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World.

The one-stop shops will supply tourists with information on a wide range of services, including reservations, accommodation, tours, vehicle hire, entertainment, adventure and travel tips.

Visitors to the centre will be able to make use of user-friendly touch screens linked to a central database of tourism products on offer and the advertisements of local businesses. They can also access free internet and an online booking system at the centres.

More than 450,000 visitors are expected to arrive in the country and these centres will play a pivotal role in addressing tourism and information services.

Developed at a cost of R6.7-million, the centers will form part of the legacy project for the 2010 FIFA South Africa World Cup and will benefit many visitors in the years to come.

Source: goal.com

Tanzania Seek FIFA Assistance To Set Up International Friendlies In October

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has asked FIFA to arrange an international friendly match for them against one of Africa's football giants in October.

Speaking to The Citizen, TFF president Leodger Tenga named Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire and South Africa as ideal countries to play against and measure their standards.

Meanwhile, the TFF has said the FIFA Coca-Cola South Africa World Cup  2010 trophy tour will stimulate and spice up the body’s efforts to develop the game.

The trophy is scheduled to arrive in Tanzania on November 19 for a three-day tour.

TFF secretary general Fredrick Mwakalebela said they expect to get positive results from the tour as the country was "flying higher" in the FIFA world rankings than in recent times.

According to Mwakalebela, the World Cup tour is staged at a time when Tanzania is making steady progress in developing football.

"In the past, our soccer standard was inferior to even our East African neighbours Kenya, Uganda, Sudan and Rwanda," he said.

Tanzania are now rated 93rd in the world, and they are expected to move forward following the 2-1 victory against Rwanda in a international friendly match played in Kigali a few days ago.

Source: goal.com

SA touched by World Cup glory

A photograph with the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Winners Trophy is not an everyday privilege. But for a handful of South Africans, the chance to stand next to the trophy that will be lifted by the victorious team on 11 July 2010 became a reality today.

"I could not believe I was standing next to the trophy, they took a photo of me and it was such a great feeling. It really makes me excited for the South Africa World Cup 2010," said 13-year-old KK Malefetse who was at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, with hundreds of other eager people, to be near the FIFA World Cup Winners Trophy.

Brought to the country by FIFA Partner Sony, the FIFA World Cup Winners Trophy has been paraded over the last few days as South Africans have been clamouring for a look, hoping to get a photograph with football's most sought after prize.

Earlier in the day, gaming fanatics were treated to a competition at one of Johannesburg's morning radio shows where they battled it out for top spot in the Sony PlayStation football game, FIFA 09, with the winner taking home a new Sony Playstation and a photograph with the 2010 FIFA World Cup Winners Trophy.

Even though the competition was virtual, the anticipation for the real 2010 FIFA World Cup was tangible among all competitors.

"The World Cup is going to be awesome," said winner, Jarryd Soma, 23. A real estate agent and Orlando Pirates supporter, he hopes that one of the benefits of hosting the World Cup is that South African's will stick together, "I hope that there will be a sense of unity between South Africans, and that we will be friendly to all visitors."

For the Chief Communications Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa, Rich Mkhondo, the tour is going a long way in making South Africans aware of what to expect in 2010.

"The World Cup is for everyone. We are all responsible for its success and now is the time to start generating excitement, be innovative with this opportunity and not only deliver a great event, but be the best ambassadors we can for this country."

Source: fifa.com

South Africa World Cup 2010 Bay fans volunteer

Nelson Mandela Bay is on track to become one of the top suppliers of volunteers for the FIFA Soccer South Africa World Cup 2010, having already delivered more potential recruits than far larger host cities like Cape Town and Durban.

The Bay has more than 6000 eager potential recruits so far – the third highest after Johannesburg and Pretoria.

According to statistics from the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee, 6245 Bay residents have applied to become volunteers to ensure everything runs smoothly when the world’s eyes are fixed on South Africa in June.

The applicants are all willing to give up their time and skills to serve their country in making the South Africa World Cup 2010 a success.

Johannesburg and Pretoria have just over 7000 applicants each and nationally 55621 potential volunteers have applied.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup volunteer programme started on July 20 when the Organising Committee (OC) began the process of looking for the 15000 volunteers required for the tournament.

The programme is a global initiative with 70% of the volunteers from South Africa, 20% from Africa and 10% from the rest of the world.

The application period ends on Monday and thereafter the OC volunteer department will process the applications.

It will conduct interviews with the approved applicants in January and February next year.

The successful volunteers chosen will undergo extensive training in March and April next year in all nine host cities.

As is the case with volunteer programmes around the world, 2010 volunteers will not be paid a salary, but will receive a stipend on the days they are operational to cover possible expenses.

Volunteers will be asked during the application process to choose the functional area they feel best suits their skills. The 16 areas include accreditation, administration, environmental services, welcome and information services, information technology and telecommunication, language support, rights protection, logistic services, marketing, media volunteers, protocol services, spectator services, ticketing, transportation, hospitality and ushering, volunteer management.

Anyone aged 18 or older on March 1 next year and who has a good command of English can apply to be a volunteer. Application forms are available at: www.fifa.com/volunteers2010.

Baron said the following registration points were open from 8 am to 6 pm in the Bay:

KwaNobuhle Library, Elukhanyisweni Library, Kabah Langa Community Hall, Uitenhage Town Library, Allanridge Library, Despatch Library, KwaDwesi Library, Booysens Park Library, Chatty Library, Korsten Library, KwaMagxaki Library, KwaZakhele Library, Linton Grange Library, Motherwell Library, Newton Park Library, New Brighton Library, North End Library, Walmer Town Hall, West End Library, Zwide Library, Zwide Library, George Botha Community Centre, Motherwell NU30 Community Hall, Kuyga Community Hall, Colchester Community Hall, Algoa Park Library, Seaview Community Hall, Njoli Square, Umsobomvu Youth Fund roving in Motherwell, Rocklands and St Albans.

Source: weekendpost.co.za