Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

With three years to go before the start of the 2010 World Cup finals, First National Bank has begun with the countdown to the sporting fiesta.

The giant banking institution has started with a process of installing countdown clocks at airports in the nine host cities.

The clocks will be installed at all the host cities between now and August. Another one will be at the bank's offices in Simmonds Street.

Michael Jordaan, chief executive of the bank, said the clocks will serve as a reminder of the World Cup to people visiting the airports.

At the switching on of the clock at OR Tambo International Airport on Monday, Jordaan said they will do their best to contribute to the success of the World Cup.

Also present at the event was Kalusha Bwalya, the Zambian soccer legend who is also one of the 2010 World Cup ambassadors, and Sibongile Mazibuko, head of the World Cup for the City of Johannesburg.

"The World Cup is one major event that should unite us as a nation and set us on a course to long-lasting economic prosperity and sustainable development," said Jordaan.

Danny Jordaan, LOC chief executive, said: "The countdown clock is a visible reminder to all of us to maintain the pace of nation-building that we have already identified.

"When the world's eyes turn to South Africa in 2010, we will be ready."