promote soccer business industry in Gauteng
6 November 2007
The Gauteng Economic Development Agency (GEDA) will on Wednesday, 7 November
2007, host a business development seminar that will focus on growing and
promoting soccer business industry in the province. Expected at the seminar is
current soccer business magnates, industry players in the fields of
merchandising, hospitality, media owners and sellers and other related sector
players like various manufacturers, contractors and aspirant business people
who want to venture into the business of football.
Organised to serve as a precursor to the multi-billion business-2-business
soccer expo in the world known as Soccerex, which is scheduled for 26 to 28
November 2007, in Gauteng, the seminar will look at various ways to aide the
development of this industry as a focus business sector that contributes
immensely to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Gauteng and its standing as a
competitive global city region.
"With the Gauteng Provincial Government acquiring the rights to host
Soccerex for the next three years until 2009, there are clear opportunities for
Gauteng to gain strong economic growth from providing this platform for
business and grow the football industry locally, in order to provide a
sustainable industry beyond the 2010 World Cup in South Africa," said GEDA
Chief Executive Officer Keith Khoza.
GEDA aims to assist these objectives and provide measurable economic
benefits not only to the province but the entire region through leveraging the
Soccerex property and current running football projects. The seminar is being
used together with a protracted programme of research work into the state of
the local soccer industry business-wise to formally adopting it as a sector of
focus within GEDA and further offer business support such as securing funding,
training and strategic consultancy to local companies wishing to venture into
this business in Gauteng.
The day long seminar will deal with topical issues such as funding
opportunities for the second economy sectors especially in soccer related
fields, broad based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) in Advertising and Media
through Soccer opportunities, the power of football and why Gauteng is
investing more in promoting and hosting world class sporting and cultural
events.
"We are diversifying Gauteng's economy and our drive to grow and develop the
soccer industry as a powerful economic sector starts with Soccerex. Gauteng is
home to many multi-national companies and the financial powerhouse for the
continent and as such it is an obvious place to launch and grow the soccer
industry in the province and for the continent," said Khoza.
The seminar is expected to be addressed by leading soccer business
personalities and a representative from MATCH, which is a Fifa accredited
company working on its accommodation and travel logistics. The Gauteng MEC for
Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Barbara Creecy and officials from the
Department of Economic Development and Finance will also address the
gathering.
Details are as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 7 November 2007
Time: 09h00
Venue: The Hilton, Sandton
For more information contact:
Barba Gaoganediwe
Gauteng Economic Development Agency
Tel: 011 833 8750
Cell: 083 446 7844
Issued by: Department of Economic Development and Finance, Gauteng
Provincial Government
6 November 2007
