20091203

Cape Town — AFRICANS are renowned for their flamboyant and colourful way of celebrating when demonstrating their passion for the beautiful game. Those that have found themselves in Cape Town have encountered unmatched sporting fever and euphoria that is anticipated to reach fever pitch during the 2010 FIFA World Cup draw at the Cape Town International Conventional (CTICC) today.

The Grammy award winning Soweto Gospel Choir, world class artist/songwriter Angelique Kidjo and several of South Africa's top music exports are on a star-studded lineup for the draw. The 90-minute live show, to determine the match order of the 32 participating teams, promises thrilling African-inspired visual and acoustic treats with international appeal. It will be attended by over 3000 international guests, including team representatives, FIFA executives, celebrities, sponsors, the international media and soccer stars including England's David Beckham.

World to watch the final Draw

It will be an internationally televised event with over 150 million people from 200 countries expected to watch.

This will certainly surpass the final draw for the 2006 World Cup held in Germany that attracted a cumulative television audience of 134.5-million and was shown live in 137 countries.

"It's going to set the beginning of the World Cup. It's going to be a huge occasion for South Africa and the whole of Africa," local organising committee chief executive Danny Jordaan told The New Vision.

"We believe our efforts in organising a wonderful ceremony will be justified." The bright colours, enthusiastic sound of the vuvuzela, and music festivals that punctuated the build-up to the draw have been powerful reminders to most onlookers that South Africa is indeed more than ready for the global sport's biggest showpiece next year.

Cape Town thrust into the limelight

In Cape Town, the draw will be accompanied by a festival on Long Street which has been organized to give Capetonians a taste of how the fan parks will function. The Long Street event will feature live entertainment, including top South African artists such as Freshlyground and Jimmy Dludlu and video links to the CTICC to enable revelers watch the draw live.

All teams set for the Draw

Among the nations that will be drawn in the glamorous ceremony from the city famous for its Table Mountain will be Africa's six representatives Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cameroon, Algeria and the hosts. Joining them will be the defending champions Italy, five-times champions Brazil, European champions Spain and bunches of sleeping giants and dark horses.

Contrary to the previous tournament when there were four debutants from Africa alone, this time every one of the teams has prior experience in the tournament. The tournament, coming to Africa for the first time, will take place at 10 venues in nine cities. It will feature eight groups of four teams in the first stage followed by a series of knockout rounds.

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