Johannesburg - The 2010 FIFA World Cup Preliminary Draw in Durban later this week, is yet another opportunity for South Africa to showcase itself to the world.

Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer Danny Jordaan, speaking at the African Ministerial Diaspora conference on Sunday said, "The Preliminary Draw will attract 204 participating countries, of which 53 will be from Africa. Of those 53 African countries, only five will be able to qualify."

Mr Jordaan said with all the expected visitors to Durban, South Africa has yet another opportunity to "raise the flag" with pride.

"The rational behind South Africa hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup was to raise the profile and reputation of the country and the continent," he told the high-ranking diplomats.

Mr Jordaan said once the five African qualifiers were known, South Africa would be hard at work to organise friendly matches with those nations at the host cities across the country.

This would include celebrations at the fan parks, which were pioneered in Germany, and which are expected to contribute to revenue generation.

Last week, FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke, who will conduct the draw, said 170 territories have booked the television feed for this event, which is a new FIFA World Cup record and yet more proof of the huge interest in South Africa 2010.

All indications are that Durban is on target with its preparations for the event, despite a labour dispute which has seen construction work at the Moses Mabhida stadium grind to a halt.

KwaZulu-Natal will host 2010 matches and Confederations Cup matches in 2009, at the Moses Mabhida stadium.

Infrastructure preparations include the King Senzakhona International Airport, which will cost R6.8 billion.

The Moses Mabhida Stadium, is tipped to cost R2.2 billion.

After the Preliminary Draw, Soccerex, the biggest inter-business soccer convention in the world will kick off in Gauteng from 25 to 28 November 2007 and for the following two years thereafter.

Soccerex provides Gauteng and the country with an international platform to showcase the province and the country as a destination for investment, tourism and major events, particularly in the build-up to the world cup.

The event is also expected to inject R7 billion into the Gauteng economy and create several employment opportunities.

Soccerex is also set to attract top international stakeholders in the football industry and be the converging point for high level networking, incisive debate on the latest issues facing the game, celebrities and live football.

The Gauteng Provincial Government won the bid for the right to host Soccerex as part of its strategy to build the province as a key destination for competitive sports events.

Building a competitive sports sector forms part of the province's growth and development strategy to create jobs and economic opportunities. - BuaNews