Pretoria - The South African government and the Local Organising Committee will on Tuesday launch the 2010 Mass Participation Programme to drum up support for the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be held in 503 days.
The event which will be held at Galeshewe Stadium in the Northern Cape aims to ensure that all South Africans are part of the World Cup excitement by encouraging and supporting sport in communities throughout South Africa.
The launch in Kimberly on Tuesday will be followed by a slew of similar events in all nine provinces as South Africa builds up to the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup which will be played in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Rustenburg and Mangaung/Bloemfontein.
"The Mass Participation Programme roadshow is a partnership between government, represented by the Department of Sports and Recreation, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee. The roadshows will take place in all nine provinces between now and June 2009," government said in a statement.
South Africa's yesteryear football stars have also been invited to participate in the event.
The 2010 Ambassadors, football legends Mark Fish, Phil Masinga, Doctor Khumalo and Desiree Ellis, will carry out coaching clinics alongside local development partners on the day and equipment will be handed over to the (South African Football Association) Safa regions.
Regional coaches have also been selected to undergo a SAFA introductory course.
The Minister of Sports and Recreation South Africa, Reverend Dr Makhenkesi Stofile, and Northern Cape Premier Dipuo Peters, will be among the dignitaries attending the event.
The decision to award the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup to South Africa was met with resounding ululations, celebrations and tears of joy in May 2004.
Since then, South Africa has embarked on various development projects in line with the guarantees made to FIFA. The 15 guarantees provided by various government departments cover access to South Africa, safety and security, healthcare services, transport and telecommunications
