Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

The 2010 World Cup tickets have generated incredible interest across the globe with just more than 506000 applications received on the Fifa website.

This was announced by Local Organising Committee chairperson Irvin Khoza after their board meeting at Safa House yesterday.

Also present at the briefing was Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke and LOC chief executive Danny Jordaan.

World Cup ticket sales exclude the applications submitted through First National Bank branches in South Africa.

Khoza, Valcke and Jordaan were unanimous, once more, in urging South Africans to show passion for the Confederations Cup and the World Cup.

For the Confederations Cup, scheduled for June 14 to 28, only 170 000 applications for the 646000 tickets have been received.

"We will continue to promote the tournament vigorously and ensure that all South Africans embrace this exciting World Cup appetiser," Khoza said.

Valcke reiterated his earlier statement that South Africa was not doing enough to create awareness of the "Festival of Champions".

"I'm disappointed that from the hotel to Safa House, I did not see a single promotional material in the streets for the Confederations Cup.

"The only ones we see are those of the FNB visa card. We have to promote the Confederations Cup, I mean there is no need to promote the World Cup."

Back to the World Cup tickets, Jordaan said: "We need our people here in South Africa to go out there and apply for tickets. We have created category- four tickets for them [cheapest at R140 each]."

Jordaan also urged South African companies to buy tickets in bulk for their employees.

"We've to get the stadiums full so that we can have a wonderful World Cup."

It was also announced yesterday that Safety and Security Minister Nathi Mthethwa has replaced Treasury director-general Lesetja Kganyago on the LOC board. Safa boss Molefi Oliphant has been appointed convenor of the LOC finance and procurement committee.