'World's biggest football party'
Lavinia Mahlangu
6 July 2006
World Cup 2010 will kick off on Friday with what Fifa calls the world's "biggest single football party ever".
As the responsibility for hosting the 2010 event is officially handed to South Africa, a free concert featuring some of Africa's brightest stars will entertain football fans at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate.
South African musicians Vusi Mahlasela and Freshly Ground, as well as African stars Youssou N’Dour and Angélique Kidjo will take centre stage at the fan fest. International performers Sean Paul, Wyclef Jean and Lumidee will also entertain the crowd, just two days before the 2006 World Cup final.
Friday’s event, which is to start at 6pm and continue until midnight, will also see the much awaited unveiling of the logo for the 2010 World Cup.
The concert, called "Football for a Better World - From Germany to South Africa", will be broadcast to 120 countries across the world.
'Truly African
event'
South African president Thabo Mbeki, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and Fifa President Sepp Blatter, will be among the dignitaries attending the event. Former president Nelson Mandela will also address the crowd via a video message.
South Africa has stated its commitment to making the 2010 Soccer World Cup a truly African event.
Legends of African football will also grace the stage with stars such as George Weah, Roger Milla and Abedi Pele joining in the celebrations.
Giant video screens at the fan fest are to replay the greatest moments of the 2006 World Cup and provide the context for the evening’s entertainment.
Power of football
Fifa will also highlight its Official Charity Campaign "6 villages for 2006" in conjunction with SOS Children’s Villages. This project is aimed at creating six new SOS children’s villages in Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, Ukraine, and Vietnam to
provide a new home to at least 800 children in need.
"With this show, the world governing body of football wants to emphasize the power of football far beyond the boundaries of the pitch by bringing together artists, football icons and world leaders to deliver a joint message to the world," Fifa said.
The show will spotlight the "Football for a Better World" alliance, which will allow the implementation of one of the main goals of world football’s governing body, which is to strive to build a better future through football, especially in Africa, but also throughout the world.
"The cultural show thus is a unique and joyful celebration of the powerful spirit of international football for peace and international understanding."
Source: BuaNews
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