Pretoria - In yet another build-up event to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, scores of football lovers will be injected with football fever when FIFA partner Hyundai launches their Goodwill Ball road show in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Football fanatics, including prominent South Africans, country ambassadors and government officials are expected to flock to Hyundai Park in Sandton to put their signatures on the 32 "Goodwill Balls", each representing a qualifying country.
The balls, measuring an amazing four-meter in diameter, will then embark on a journey across South Africa and all the 32 countries ahead of the tournament in June.
The road show is a popular feature of all major football tournaments since Euro 2000. The event was also a feature of the FIFA World Cup in Germany, 2006 and Euro 2008.
All 32 Goodwill Balls will end their voyages back in Johannesburg in May, when a great celebration will take place just before kick off.
The balls will then follow their teams and the messages will be on display at matches.
"The Hyundai Goodwill Balls have become a symbol of pride, hope, passion and the uniting power of football the world over, and it is an honour to now bring that legacy to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup," said CEO of Hyundai South Africa, Alan Ross.
Radio host Jeremy Mansfield, Watershed musician Craig Hinds and football legend Jomo Sono are just some of the personalities included in the line-up of famous faces to inscribe the South African Goodwill Balls.
