Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

The second edition of Soccerex, the soccer business exhibition hosted by the Gauteng provincial government, is expected to inject more than R50 million into the local economy.

Expected to be attended by more than 400 senior soccer administrators and influential business people, the event will take place in Johannesburg from November 23 to 26.

This year's event was launched at the Sandton Convention Centre this week with the top brass at Soccerex in attendance.

Barbara Creecy, Gauteng MEC for sports, arts, culture and recreation, said they were using Soccerex to showcase South Africa's readiness for the 2010 World Cup.

After the first Soccerex last year, which was hailed as a roaring success, Creecy said they were out to make the second one bigger and better.

Creecy said there will also be the Diambars, Legends Festival and Soccerex Park development programmes.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter, will also be part on this year's panel debate where delegates will hear his thoughts on the proposed "6+5" rule and the Fifa 2010 World Cup.

The influential Blatter will also be here for the 2009 Confederations Cup draw in Johannesburg on November 22.

Representatives of the eight countries participating in the Confederations Cup will also be there.

Seven of the eight countries have already been decided. They are South Africa, Italy, Egypt, Spain, Irag, United States of America and Brazil.

Oceania's representative will be be decided during their championships later this month. New Zealand are hot favourites to clinch the title.