Cape Town - As national football teams from around the world battle through qualifying games to make it to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the City of Cape Town is gearing up to host the tournament's Final Draw event.
Cape Town's International Convention Centre will be cast into the limelight on 4 December when FIFA announces the match order for the world's top 32 teams to contest in Africa's first World Cup.
The much anticipated Final Draw is expected to be broadcast in almost 200 countries across the world and attended by over 2 000 guests and approximately 800 media representatives.
Cape Town Executive Mayor Dan Plato and Chief Executive Officer of the Local Organising Committee, Danny Jordaan, have signed the service level agreement for the city to host the event.
The agreement sets out the roles and responsibilities for the two parties in staging the event and to provide all the necessary support services.
Mr Plato said excitement and anticipation among the residents of Cape Town was starting to mount as the Final Draw and the World Cup approach.
"We can't wait for 4 December and we can't wait for 2010 to welcome all the visitors and spectators to our city. Cape Town is ready and prepared to deliver a memorable final draw and to provide unique visitor experiences for visitors and the soccer fraternity alike.
"The timing coincides with Cape Town's festive season and all stakeholders are working together on integrated planning and preparations for the event," the mayor said.
Mr Plato said the World Cup came at an opportune time for the city and had already created a number of job opportunities in especially the infrastructure sector.
"The impetus of expenditure and investment in infrastructure for 2010 could not have come at a better time to counteract the effects of the economic slump. While not every individual or suburb of Cape Town will benefit directly from the World Cup, improved facilities, services and infrastructure will benefit all indirectly," said Mr Plato.
Dr Jordaan said the Final Draw in South Africa's scenic 'Mother City' would capture the imagination of the football world and would be a week-long event featuring a number of activities staged by FIFA, the LOC, the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Provincial Government and all South Africa's Host Cities.
"There are two projects left in the delivery of the World Cup, the Final Draw this December and then the tournament itself starting next June."
He said the FIFA Confederations Cup had shifted the mood world-wide.
"Where people once questioned and doubted, we've now reached a position where people are looking forward in anticipation and excitement to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa," said Dr Jordaan.
He added that the Final Draw in Cape Town was a critical date and an important milestone for South Africa.
"And we could not find a better city in which to host it. Cape Town's a wonderful location and its Greenpoint Stadium is a landmark, one of the best in the world," Dr Jordaan added.
Meanwhile, five nations have already successfully qualified for the finals as per their continental zones, these are Australia, Japan, North Korea, Netherlands and South Korea
