22 November 2007
The Eastern Cape province will be participating in the internationally
renowned Soccerex exhibition from the 25 to 28 November 2007, hosted by Gauteng
to showcase the province's readiness to host the Federation International
Football Association (Fifa) Soccer World Cup in 2010. The event is deemed as
the first South African edition of the world's biggest business to business
football exhibition.
Soccerex will be attended by over 5 000 delegates from the international
football fraternity along 300 exhibitors from over 90 countries. The Premier of
the Eastern Cape Nosimo Balindlela will be leading the delegation from the
province.
"As the Eastern Cape province we will be showcasing ourselves as a
significant player in tourism and in the provision of socio-economic investment
opportunities making the province a compelling place to live, work, invest and
play", says Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela on participation in Soccerex
2007.
The Eastern Cape is not only about soccer, it is about sport in general. The
province has produced some of the world's best sports personalities like,
former International Boxing Federation (IBF) champions Welcome Ncita and Vuyani
Bhungu, in cricket Makhaya Ntini who has won South Africa Man of the Match in
countless occasions in world competitions and also Blue Bulls' Akhona Ndungane
who instils fear in other provincial rugby teams and has won numerous awards.
The Eastern Cape boasts its richness in culture and heritage, wealth of wild
life and natural vegetation; hence the province has been one of the fastest
growing tourism destinations in the country. The province has been given an
opportunity to interact with role players in business to attract tourists and
investors during and after the world cup.
It is projected that Soccerex will bring more than R700 million to South
Africa's economy. Up to R7 billion worth of business deals are to be negotiated
and hence the Eastern Cape should demand its rightful share through investments
and trade opportunities.
The Eastern Cape government has secured a 72 square meter space costing up
to R400 000 at Hall 872, stand number 12 at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Through the event to be hosted in the country the province will get maximum
exposure to the world of football business.
Led by the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture participating
departments are:
* Office of the Premier
* 2010 Provincial Co-ordinating Committee
* International Marketing Council
* Department of Economic Development
* Eastern Cape Development Corporation
* Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
* Eastern Cape Tourism Board
* Eastern Cape Parks
* East London Industrial Development Zone
* Department of Transport
* Eastern Cape Arts and Craft Hub
* Eastern Cape Liquor Board
For more information contact:
Billy Simenukane
Cell: 082 440 6221
Hlanga Mafani
Cell: 082 440 7949
Issued by: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
22 November 2007
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)
