Pretoria - The City of Tshwane is thrilled to be used as the base camp of the Argentina national soccer team during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The City of Tshwane's 2010 unit was pleased to welcome the delegation of the Argentina Football Association (AFA) led by national team head coach, Diego Maradona, on Monday.
Chief Executive Officer of the City's 2010 unit, Godfrey Nkwane said: "The City of Tshwane is thrilled and more than a little excited to have such a high profile team and its legendary coach (Maradona) having chosen to stay in the city."
Nkwane met the 49-year-old head coach in December last year and he expressed a wish to come and view the world class facilities offered by the City.
"We are sure that once the coach and other members of the delegation see the facilities of the High Performance Centre and the other world class facilities on offer in Tshwane, they will cement their decision to make Tshwane their base camp.
"That will mean that one of the most high profile teams in the world will be staying here and the fans of that team will find a great welcome from Tshwane," he said.
While in the country, the AFA delegation will leave a lasting legacy by donating computer and soccer equipment at disadvantaged communities of the two host cities, Tshwane and Johannesburg.
"The AFA has expressed its desire to leave a legacy for the two cities hosting the team - Tshwane, where they will most likely make their base camp, and Johannesburg where they will play most of their first round matches," said the city's 2010 unit.
The school visits will take place later this afternoon at the Lowe Middle School in Ga-Rankuwa and the Kgotlelelang Primary School in Soshanguve.
On Monday, Maradona and the AFA delegation viewed the High Performance Centre at the University of Pretoria as a possible base camp facility for their national team.
Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa later hosted Maradona and his delegation at a closed reception.
Ramokgopa is equally upbeat about the visit and believes it will make a great contribution to profiling the city as a world class city of champions.
"Tshwane is a city of champions. That means we not only have winning sports teams here but we believe our people are inspired to achieve in all areas of life. Maradona is a legend and Argentina is one of the most successful football teams in the world.
"This can only inspire young people to aim higher and be champions and the world will once again see that this city has what it takes to be a world class capital city," she said.
