Johannesburg – Gauteng’s hosting of the Soccerex is not just for passion, but is aimed at building Gauteng as a preferred home for competitive sport, says Gauteng Premier Mbazima Shilowa.

Delivering an address at the Kagiso Soccerex Football press conference in Sandton on Wednesday, Premier Shilowa said government’s strategy was to attract major and international events to Gauteng with the aim to build a sport sector of the economy while opening increased economic opportunities for the province.

“We were extremely pleased when we won the bid to host Soccerex for three years in a row… Soccerex is ideally suitable to form partnerships with the aim of assisting us in our efforts to grow business of football in Gauteng,” the premier said.

Soccerex, which is expected to inject R7 billion into the Gauteng economy and create several employment opportunities, is the biggest inter-business soccer convention in the world.

The convention will kick-off on 25 and end on 28 November 2007, and Soccerex will run for the following two years.

It 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 2010 FIFA World Cup.
This year’s one day 5-a-side football tournament will include legends from Manchester United, Liverpool, African All Stars and Soccerex Select competing for the 2007 Kagiso Soccerex Football Festival trophy.

Mr Shilowa said their aim was for Soccerex to contribute to the preparations of hosting a successful 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“Major events such as Soccerex and the World Cup bring thousands of international visitors to our province and help us market and position our province as a globally competitive city region,” he said.

British High Commissioner to South Africa Paul Boateng said they were looking forward to this successful event and further strengthening of partnership between these countries.

“This is going to be a great feast for everyone. This is about partnership, what we all bring to the table in terms of expertise and entrepreneurial skills is because we want to leave a legacy and sustainability to the entire tournament,” Mr Boateng said.

SABC Head of Sports Sizwe Nzimande: “As an official broadcaster, we will continue to support this initiative as it will also help us to prepare our readiness for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We feel honoured to be part of this project and we fully commit ourselves to it.” – BuaNews