Tuesday, June 12, 2007

SA ready to do it again in 2010

"We've done it before and will do it again in 2010," is the rallying brand message by the IMC to build optimism in the country and the world.

The International Marketing Council (IMC) is responsible for branding the country for 2010 in consultation with "Germany - Land of ideas."

"South Africa has been there, done that and is more than ready to do it again," Kheepe Moremi, Marketing Director of the IMC said.

The 2010 campaign refers to some of the world events successfully hosted by South Africa including the 1995 Rugby World Cup, 2003 Cricket World Cup and the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD).

The brand message emerged on Monday during the visit by two top European soccer players who are here to show their confidence in the country's ability to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The soccer stars Piotr Trochowski and Phillipp Lahm are expected to be in the country until 16 June, during which they will be involved in charity work including soccer clinics.

Also expected to join the two stars is Owen Hargreaves who missed his flight and failed to make it to the tour. He is expected to land in South Africa on Tuesday.

The IMC will be flighting this campaign on television and radio.

The City of Johannesburg's Executive Director for 2010, Sibongile Mazibuko reiterated that South Africa was ready to do it again.

"We have done it. We will do it again," she said referring to the city's role in the hosting of the three events.

She also said the city was bidding to host the International Broadcast Centre at the Johannesburg Expo Centre.

"We have submitted a detailed imaginative proposal to FIFA on the hosting of the International Broadcast Centre and we are confident we will win the bid," she said.

Cape Town and Durban, both of which are match host cities, are also bidding to host the IBC.

In addition to hosting fixtures at Soccer City and Ellis Park, Johannesburg will also provide six training venues for world cup teams.

They include Orlando stadium, Dobsonville, Rand, Cecil Payne, Rabie Ridge and Ruimsig stadiums.

Orlando and Dobsonville already meet FIFA's requirements in terms of the number of spectators they can accommodate.

Monday, 11 June, marked exactly three years to the day on which the first whistle will be blown for the first game of the 2010 World Cup at Soccer City, which is currently under construction.

A clock has also been unveiled at the OR Tambo International Airport for visitors to join South Africans on the count down to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.