LIMPOPO Premier Cassel Mathale is adamant the new Peter Mokaba Stadium, which will host its first test event ahead of the 2010 Fifa World Cup on January 23, will not be a white elephant.

LIMPOPO Premier Cassel Mathale is adamant the new Peter Mokaba Stadium, which will host its first test event ahead of the 2010 Fifa World Cup on January 23, will not be a white elephant.

Mathale said they were involved in discussions with stakeholders to ensure there is continued usage of this multipurpose facility by sports and community structures.

An avid sports lover, Mathale said the government was working closely with soccer clubs in the area to see how can they assist them to ensure Limpopo has a Premiership club.

Two Limpopo teams, Black Leopards and Dynamos, are challenging for promotion as they lie second and third respectively in the First Division Inland Stream.

African Warriors top the table.

"It is disappointing Limpopo does not have a Premiership club, but we are engaging stakeholders to ensure they begin to run their affairs in a more professional way," Mathale said.

"Soccer is now big business, we are hoping that Black Leopards and Dynamos will do well so that we can have one or two clubs in the Premiership next season."

Kaizer Chiefs, SuperSport United, Bidvest Wits and Copenhagen giants Brondby will take part in the tournament to test the readiness of the new stadium on January 23.

Said Ndavhe Ramakuela, Polokwane municipality's World Cup director: "We are excited to have such a massive international tournament to test the readiness of the stadium for the 2010 Fifa World Cup."

Ramakuela added that on January 14, there will be a ceremony to hand over the stadium from the contractor to the municipality.