Beckham for Soccerex 08?
20 March 2008One of the world's greatest football celebrities is expected to run a clinic for Johannesburg youngsters during Soccerex 08 in November.
David Beckham, one of the most recognisable faces in the sport, may wing his way over to South Africa later this year to take part the world's biggest business-to-business soccer convention at Johannesburg's Sandton Convention Centre.
Football legends, international football clubs, football-playing nations and football-related businesses attend the annual show, which runs from 23 to 26 November this year.
Bend it Like Beckham
Beckham is expected to feature in "Bend It Like Beckham", a soccer showcase in which hundreds of youngsters will be coached and mentored by the former England captain.
However, Beckham's trip to South Africa will depend on his club commitments, according to Duncan Revie, the Soccerex chief executive - who happens to be the son of former Leeds United and England managerial great Don Revie.
"Beckham's involvement in this year's Soccerex will obviously be one of the main attractions, but all this will depend on whether he will be involved in the playoffs with his club," Revie said at a press conference in Johannesburg this week.
This year's football festival, a regular feature at Soccerex, will involve a Brazilian and a North American side, which will play South African teams.
Exceeded expectations
Soccerex 07, also held at the Sandton Convention Centre, far exceeded expectations, with over 4 000 international delegates attending the football gathering, Revie said.
"Eighty-eight percent of all the delegates gave Johannesburg's hospitality a thumbs-up, and 78% of people who came for business were satisfied with their business dealings."
Soccerex is the only international football convention that gives exhibitors and delegates the opportunity to network with suppliers, manufacturers, key buyers and decision-makers.
The convention will be staged in South Africa's Gauteng province until 2009, and Revie expects a 50% increase in the number of people attending this year.
A volunteer programme will be pioneered at this year's convention, under which unemployed youngsters will be drafted into the programme in preparation for the Confederations Cup 2009 and the 2010 Fifa World Cup, both being hosted by South Africa.
Training volunteers
Geoff Thompson, a former world karate champion, will partner with Gauteng province to train volunteers, according to Barbara Creecy, the province's sport, arts, culture and recreation MEC.
"The volunteer programme will see 6 000 volunteers being trained for the Confederations Cup and 15 000 for the World Cup. Volunteers will include general volunteers and specialist volunteers."
Creecy said Soccerex would lead to the building of a five-a-side stadium in Soweto; the province was negotiating with the City of Johannesburg on the exact location of the ground. A Diambars Football Academy would also be established in Ekurhuleni before the World Cup.
Source: City of Johannesburg
