Soccerex begins

Lovemore Dube  in Durban, South Africa
THE second edition of the Soccerex African Forum kicked off at the magnificent Moses Mabhida Stadium yesterday with delegates from a number of African countries in attendance with hopes that it would contribute to better practices in the game in the future.In his opening remarks, chairman of the organising committee Tony Martin, said he was hopeful that they would contribute to the growth of the sport in the continent.

He said all eyes were on Africa as it continues working on grassroots programmes.
“The eyes of the international football community are once again fixed on Africa as it continues to reach out to its grassroots, develop its extensive youth programme, commercialise its professional leagues and make a major impact on the global stage,” said Martin.

He alluded to the fact that the hosting of the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 had opened up investment and a lot of business opportunities in South Africa.

He said South Africa had long established itself as a leading sporting nation and that the football industry was growing substantially with it.

Soccerex he said would bring together stakeholders from a diverse background to unite with industry to improve the growth and investments in their respective countries.

Some of the countries have sent club, national association, league and sports ministry representatives with Zimbabwe having two journalists sponsored by Supersport, the chief executive of the Premier Soccer League Kennedy Ndebele and player agent from Bulawayo Fortune Chisale.

Soccerex organisers have partnered with the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government and EThekwini Municipality in identifying sport as an essential tool to boost tourism figures with world and continental class events held in the city as Durban continues as a favourable sport tourism destination.

Run under the theme ‘Uniting the business of football in Africa’ Martin noted that some of the benefits related with soccer in the city were improved infrastructure set up ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

“This is the most Pan African Forum, it has united us for the business of football,” he said.
Kaizer Chiefs, Leeds and Bafana Bafana legend Lucas Radebe who is the ambassador of Soccerex spoke at the opening ceremony.

He said his involvement was to give back to the game for what he is today.
“The game gave me what I am today. I want to give back and keep the game exciting, I am where I am because of the beautiful game,” said Radebe.

The Deputy Mayor of Durban City Nomvuzo Tshabalala said they were grateful to be playing host to the event which she hopes would in the long run help the city become a major tourist attraction.

She said it had become one of the key activities in the sporting calendar in the country.
“We are proud to host this Soccerex Exhibition, it is now one of soccer’s biggest calendar events, we appreciate the opportunity given to us, you could have taken it elsewhere but you chose Durban,” said Tshabalala.

She said sport helps fight poverty and social inequalities and hosting creates opportunities for the people of Durban in a number of ways.
Tshabalala said the World Cup had marketed Durban with a lot of infrastructure set up for the benefit of the nation beyond 2010.

She described her city’s tourism as having been one of the biggest beneficiaries from sport.
“It has also helped project a positive image about this city too,” she said.
She challenged participants to pick up better practices for the benefit of soccer and communities from attending such forums so that they could maximise on business opportunities.

“We want to see our clubs to be more economically viable,” said Tshabalala.
Most African clubs especially in East, Central and Southern Africa are struggling finacially because of poor administration and sponsorship levesl coupled with lack of government backed incentives for sponsors.

The guest of honour the Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gert Oosthuiizen said soccer had managed to dispel so many myths about Africa.

Among the speakers lined up for later yesterday was former Liverpool and England winger John Barnes, Sechaba Motsieu of Macdonalds, Caf secretary-general Hicham El Amrani, Supersport presenter Thomas Kwenaite and David Dein the former vice-chairman of Arsenal.