Gearing up to mark 500 days to 2010

FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke, chairman of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (SALOC) Irvin Khoza and SALOC CEO Danny Jordaan will address media at Johannesburg's SAFA House to reflect on the achievements made since South Africa was awarded the right to host Africa's first FIFA World Cup five years ago, and to look ahead at the milestones leading up to the tournament's kick-off on 11 June 2010 at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg.

The focal point of the day will be in Mangaung/Bloemfontein, where the mayors/representatives of all nine 2010 FIFA World Cup Host Cities will converge on the Mangaung Outdoor Sports Centre for the national unveiling of the nine Host City Posters.

To kick-off the day's activities, the Italian Embassy will visit together with 2010 ambassadors Mark Fish and Philemon Masinga, two schools in Mangaung as part of the 2010 Schools Campaign “Adopt a Nation”, followed by a schools mini-football tournament.

The programme on 26 January

• In Johannesburg:

  • 1.30pm: 2010 FIFA World Cup 500 Days to Go media briefing, SAFA House, south entrance, conference room, 76 Nasrec Road, Nasrec Ext 3, NASREC, Johannesburg.

  For planning purposes, RSVP by Friday 23 January to Marisa Berndsen,

• In Mangaung/Bloemfontein:

  • 7.30am - 9am: Italian Embassy visits Heatherdale High School, Heatherdale Road, Heidedal
    
  • 9.15am - 11am: Italian Embassy visits Rutanang Primary School, 16269 Thapane Street, Rocklands.
    
  • 11.15am - 3.30pm: schools mini-football tournament takes place at the Mangaung Outdoor Sports Centre, 18922 Phale Street, Rocklands, Mangaung/Bloemfontein
    
  • 5pm - 6pm: 2010 FIFA World Cup Host City Poster Launch at the Mangaung Outdoor Sports Centre, 18922 Phale Street, Rocklands, Mangaung. To be addressed by OC CEO Danny Jordaan, provincial and local government minister Sicelo Shiceka and Mangaung executive mayor Playfair Morule and attended by mayors and representatives of all the nine 2010 FIFA World Cup Host Cities.

  Media wishing to attend the Mangaung/ Bloemfontein activities must directly contact Dr Diane Abrahams, Mangaung 2010 Office, email , tel +27 (0)51 405 8675/013 for further information.