Johannesburg - Just one week after the opening of volunteer applications for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the number of applicants has already exceeded the total number required.
The 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) had by Monday received 15 042 applications from prospective volunteers in 133 countries.
This included 482 applications to volunteer at the World Cup final draw in Cape Town in December and a further 188 for the Football for Hope Festival in Alexandra, Johannesburg, which will take place during the tournament.
The programme, officially opened last Monday, is open to those who will be over the age of 18 on 1 March next year. A total of 15 000 volunteers are required, of which 10 percent must be from Africa, 10 percent international volunteers and the rest to be selected from South Africa.
LOC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Danny Jordaan, said the committee and its board was delighted with the phenomenal response and the enthusiasm from people to play their part in helping to successfully deliver Africa's first World Cup.
However, the LOC will continue to accept applications until the closing date on 31 August 2009.
"We encourage people to continue to apply until the end of August to ensure we have the strongest possible volunteers to assist in all functional areas.
"Language support, in particular, will be very important, especially when it comes to assisting foreign fans that will follow their teams to the tournament," said Dr Jordaan.
Meanwhile, in terms of host cities statistics the Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium is leading with 2932 volunteer applications followed by Loftus Versfeld and Ellis Park with 2268 and 2247 respectively.
Cape Town has 1754, Durban 1543, Mangaung has 1112 with Nelson Mandela Bay having received 621 thus far.
Only 990 Rustenburg residents have registered while Polokwane have so far received 552 applications and Nelspruit have 353 applications.
Volunteers can apply at www.fifa.com/volunteers2010. Those without internet access or requiring further information about the programme and how to apply at volunteer centres around the country can also contact the toll-free volunteer hotline on 0800 52 52 52.
Volunteers will be required in areas such as transport, media, marketing, logistics, accreditation, spectator services, language support, administration and hospitality at the tournament's ten stadiums and nine host cities.
