Gauteng residents and soccer fanatics are bracing themselves for the biggest soccer event South Africa has seen: the three day Soccerex conference – and England superstar David Beckham will be in attendance.
Soccerex is punted by government as the biggest business-to-business soccer exhibition on African soil. It will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre between 24 and 26 November.
Beckham is expected to give an address on managing the biggest world brand in football on the conference’s second day.
According to the Gauteng provincial government there will also be an exclusive session with Danny Jordan, CEO of South Africa’s 2010 Local Organising Committee. He is expected to give an update of South Africa’s preparations for the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
The Soccerex Merit Awards for individual achievement by the world of football will also be held during the event.
International soccer legends from Barcelona will conduct soccer clinics in partnership with the David Beckham Academy and the establishment of the Soweto Football Museum.
Over 4000 delegates and over 300 exhibitors, from over 95 countries are set to participate in this year’s Soccerex. Registration numbers for the conference numbers indicate that African nations will be strongly represented for networking with the global football industry.
The Department of Economic Affairs will facilitate participation of local SMMEs as well as Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment companies through its empowerment agencies such as the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP).
