As the third and last edition of the Soccerex convention comes to the end, Gauteng is sure that the platform has given insight into what football can bring into the country and what to expect during the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
According to Premier Nomvula Mokonyane “the province has learned the ins and outs of world football business. The opportunity to host the convention has also prepared our troops for the battles ahead”.
For the last three years the Gauteng government through the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation together with the two host cities, Johannesburg and Tshwane, the Gauteng Economic Propeller (GEP), Gauteng Economic Development Agency (GEDA) and the Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) have been part of this great spectacle putting Gauteng on the world map.
Hundreds of people and some of them first time visitors to South Africa will go back with the experience of Gauteng to reflect about their visit to South Africa. Accordingly the convention has been a perfect opportunity to expose the world to Gauteng and its readiness for the world cup through its two host cities being Johannesburg and Tshwane. Between the two cities a total of 21 matches will be played in the three match venues including the opening and closing ceremonies, the opening match and the final. As the premier said, “Gauteng it starts here and it ends here”.
As part of the Soccerex legacy project, the department in partnership with Diambars (an international sports development organisation) opened Football Academy based in Ekurhuleni. The project is based on a model to allow African players to improve on their education while they develop their football skills. The academy will formally open in January 2010 with an inaugural 20 intake of grade eight learners who were chosen after a rigorous selection process. The learners will receive boarding and will attend school at the nearby Sunwood Park High School.
The Soccerex convention has also exposed Gauteng as the preferred destination for investment and trade and tourism. Through the GEDA Gauteng has continued to strengthen its position as the economic engine of the country and the continent.
The province has been contributing nearly 43 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Accordingly, it (Soccerex) has enabled the province to start the work in building a viable and competitive football industry in Gauteng and the continent.
It has positioned the Gauteng brand to over 60 international destinations with a cumulative total audience of over 600 million. This high level international exposure grew from $3,4 million in 2007 to just under $4,7 million in 2008. More than $2,5 billions worth of deals were negotiated between 2007 and 2008 with this figure is expected to increase this year as the 2010 FIFA World Cup hits town. Between 2007 and now over R96 million was injected into the local tourism sector with retail, hospitality and accommodation sectors benefiting tremendously.
Not only has the Gauteng city region and big business received exposure but through the Gauteng Economic Propeller the small, medium, and micro-enterprises SMMEs) have also benefited. During the past two conventions over 30 SMMEs had an opportunity to exhibit their products and interact with international players and partners. Some of the companies have now formed partnerships with international entities. The involvement of SMMEs is important since they play a significant role in the success of the economy.
Gauteng will host the bulk of matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and as a result the province will also be hosting the bulk of the local and international audience abroad. It is therefore important that through the Gauteng Tourism Authority accommodation, travelling and entertainment facilities are profiled. As a result some of the facilities graded for 2010 FIFA World Cup were given an opportunity to showcase themselves and provide the local and international community with a glimpse of the ample and standard facilities to be used.
As part of the Soccerex football festival the department hosted the finals of the “Diski 5 GP” Five-a-Side football tournament which was won by Colchester (ladies) and Mighty Stars (boys). The Diski 5 final preceded the legends game played by Brazilian, England, Netherlands and South African football legends including Mark Fish, Shaun Bartlett, former Roma player Aldair, Ajax Amersterdam’s Ronald De Boer and Manchester United’s Andrew Cole.
For more information contact:
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
Tel: 011 355 2578
Cell: 083 507 8068
Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
2 December 2009
