Johannesburg – Local soccer bodied have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) deepening and strengthening relations between them ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The South African Football Association (SAFA), Premier Soccer League and the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee (LOC) signed the agreement on Tuesday.

"This agreement is long overdue. I doubt there is another country in the world where we have such passionate people working to bring the world cup to the people of South Africa," said SAFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Raymond Hack.

The MoU aims to strengthen relations between the three soccer bodies in terms of media and marketing strategies, security, match organisation, events management, protocol, accreditation, transport and logistics, and volunteer recruitment and deployment.

Premier Soccer League (PSL) CEO Kjetil Siem told reporters it was a dream come true for the PSL.

“We are aware that we are not directly responsible for arrangements and organisation of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup or the world cup, but we just want to be of assistants and part of it.

"We would like to use the opportunity of the world cup as a tool to improve the skill of footballers within the country.”

While the world cup will bolster football infrastructure in South Africa for many years to come, it is capable management of the structures that are left behind which will ensure the growth and positive development of the game of football.

LOC CEO Dr Danny Jordaan explained that the MoU does not relate to anything that happens on the field, but rather “off-the-field” issues that involve the three soccer bodies.

"Beyond 2010, we are looking to build the skill, capabilities and confidence of players in South Africa. We therefore needed to take those steps as the CEOs of all three soccer bodies in South Africa, and it is from an operational standpoint that we will work together.

"It is off the field that we will work together and deepen our relationships," said Dr Jordaan.

Mr Jordaan commented on the recent attacks on foreign nationals in townships throughout the Guatenf which has killed over 20 people and left thousands displaced.

He said they had just launched the "Ke Nako" campaign - which means celebrate Africa's humanity – and it was from the view that the violence was condemned.

"We give our unreserved condemnation of the attacks.”

He said the violence was in total contradiction to the recently programme which celebrate the continent’s diversity and humanity.

"What pains us further is we are talking about people who live in dire social economic circumstances as are having further hardships and punishment inflicted on them.

"We want to welcome the world to South Africa for the world cup, and we can only say that we feel sympathy for those who are once again displaced." - BuaNews