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Speech delivered by Ms Barbara Creecy, Gauteng MEC: Sports, Arts, Recreation & Culture, Gauteng Provincial Government 18 November 2008 Today for the second consecutive year,we enter the final countdown towards the Gauteng Provincial Government's hosting of the world's premier soccer conference and exhibition SOCCEREX. Soccerex 2008 boasts 4000 delegates from 95 countries; two exciting exhibition halls; participation by a record number of Fifa delegates; the launch of Gauteng's Jazz Orchestra at our Gala Dinner and the unveiling of Bafana Bafana's new clothing range fashioned by Gauteng designers at a public launch on Monday 24 November in Maude Street. We believe we are justified in claiming that Soccerex 2008 will be even better than 2009. We have always said that our aim in hosting Soccerex is to encourage delegate participation from the wider upstream and downstream South African and African industries associated with professional football . This year over 50 % of the delegates come from Africa and South Africa. Forty seven percent of the exhibitors are from Africa with one hundred representatives from clubs, leagues, and associations across Africa. Namibia, Kenya , Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, and Senegal have stands at this year's exhibition. In an effort to promote our domestic football industry and share the benefits of Soccerex with other South African cities and provinces, we have ensured that all 9 provinces and all the major cities have exhibition stands. Delegates from SAFA and the PSL, Orlando Pirates, Jomo Cosmos and Ajax Cape Town will be in attendance. Kaiser Chiefs, Sundowns and Platinum All Stars will host exhibition stands . To stimulate local interest in this year's event we have had three preparatory workshops in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni focusing on different aspects of the business of soccer including merchandising, understanding the benefits large sporting events can bring to those involved in media, event management, stadium managers and professional teams themselves. The Soccerex conference itself has special sessions including player development, team management, legal and financial aspects of stadium management and developing a football industry in emerging markets. These sessions should be of special interest to those involved in developing the local industry. As we all know, Brazil will host the 2014 Fifa World CupT. This makes the forging of tourist and business relationships between South Africa and Brazil very important over the coming years. A special conference session will focus on business opportunities in South Africa and Brazil and a strong delegation from Brazil will be attending the event and hosting an exhibition stand. In September the Gauteng Provincial Government toured a number of Brazilian cities to encourage Brazilians to visit South Africa during the Confederations Cup next year. One of the results of this visit is that Brasilia will host a Soccerex Forum in March next year. This partnership will be unveiled with my counterpart from Brasilia at Soccerex next week. Once again the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) is making sure that small enterprises are not excluded from Soccerex. GEP is subsidising the stand costs for 15 small enterprises to exhibit at Soccerex 2008. GEP's intervention reduces the exhibition stand costs to around R6000 per stand, making it possible for these businesses to display their products and services at an international event. Emphasis and focus have also been placed on Soccerex's football development programme which includes a 5-a-side soccer competition, involving boys under 17 and senior ladies teams . This programme involved play- offs in 100 local football SAFA associations, progressing to regional championships involving 240 male and female players . The finals are on November 21 and 23 in Nelson Mandela Square. The tournament included coaching clinics by 10 SA ex- professional players in each of the five regions. On Sunday 23 November from 15h00, it will be the turn of the African Soccerex Select and Legends from Manchester United and Liverpool FC to lace up their boots and show that they still have the skill to delight the crowds. The social responsibility projects also include development of a the multi-purpose sports complex in Mapetla. Discussions are currently underway on the sustainable usage of the centre involving SAFA Soweto and the Mapetla Youth United who currently uses these grounds . Included in the discussions is how to honour local sports heroes such as Godfrey Moloi through the project. The Diambars, a partnership with GPG, and Ekurhuleni, to build a multi-functional education and football academy for 100 highly talented young footballers is on track. The memoranda of agreements amongst all concerned have been signed off and construction should commence in the New Year. There is improved service coming from the metered yellow cabs supported by the Department of Public Works and Transport: all cars have GPRS, meter readings, and some will have credit card readers. For more information contact Nomazwe Ntlokwana on 0835078068
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Barbara Creecy Grew up in Johannesburg and studied at Wits University, where she became involved in the anti-apartheid more.. |
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SACR Daily Activities Diary 2008 |
SACR Diary of Activities Venue : Glenburn Lodge, Muldersdrift Monday, 08 December to Friday, 12 December 2008 The Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation hosts a holiday programme targeting youth in various recreational centers. The programme is aimed at promoting mass participation sports, recreation, arts and culture activities. Venue : Various Recreational Centers Sunday, 07 December 2008 Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts Culture and Recreation will host the Puisano Live Music Performance Programme showcases. The Programme is aimed at promoting live music performances in communities and to develop a culture of live music appreciation as an art form in townships. Venue : 6 for 9 Pub, Mohlakeng, West Rand Sunday, 14 December 2008 Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts Culture and Recreation will host the Puisano Live Music Performance Programme showcases. The Programme is aimed at promoting live music performances in communities and to develop a culture of live music appreciation as an art form in townships. Venue : Norah's Jazz Tavern, Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni Sunday, 21 December 2008 Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts Culture and Recreation will host the Puisano Live Music Performance Programme showcases. The Programme is aimed at promoting live music performances in communities and to develop a culture of live music appreciation as an art form in townships. Venue : Taliban Jazz Lounge, Ga - Rankuwa, Tshwane Sunday, 28 December 2008 Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts Culture and Recreation will host the Puisano Live Music Performance Programme showcases. The Programme is aimed at promoting live music performances in communities and to develop a culture of live music appreciation as an art form in townships. Venue : Ziba Park , Kwa - Thema, Ekurhuleni |