All reports by Ramatsiyi Moholoa

TAMALE - The 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee has dispatched some of its senior officials to Ghana for the Africa Cup of Nations on a learning curve as part of the preparations for the 2009 Confederations Cup and the World Cup.

The delegation is led by Danny Jordaan, their chief executive, who is also a member of the Confederation of African Football Organising Committee for the biennial tournament.

Dennis Mumble, the LOC's general manager, said: "The idea of bringing some of our officials to Ghana is to expose them to the organisation of the Africa Cup of Nations. Our officials are operating in all the four host cities of the tournament.

"We will be doing the same with other high-profile competitions such as the Euro Cup and the Beijing Olympics.

"The aim is to familiarise them with how to run a successful competition. We also deal with all the aspects of communications, marketing, branding and other related issues."

Also in Ghana is Molefi Oliphant, the South African Football Association president. Oliphant is also the deputy president of CAF. He has been appointed general manager of the Kumasi host city where he is assisted by Safa executive member David Nhlabathi.

Mumble is the general manager of the Kumasi host city, with Safa executive member Kirsten Nematendani serving as his deputy. Olehile Manong, a former Safa executive member, is an assistant coordinator of the Sekondi host city.

Tim Modise, the LOC's director of communications and marketing, is the media officer of the Afcon in Accra.

"We also have Reuben Mahlalela and Alpha Mchunu who have been appointed by Safa and the Local Organising Committee as observers. They will travel to Accra and Kumasi to gather detailed information about the Africa Cup of Nations in general," said Mumble.

"The two officials will be joined by Derek Blackensee [Bidvest Wits' chief executive] sometime later this week. Reuben, Alpha and Derek will compile a report that will be submitted to Safa and the LOC at the end of the tournament."

The Durban-based Mchunu is a member of the Safa executive committee, while Mahlalela is the former vice president of Safa.

Mahlalela is serving as president of the Lowveld region of Safa in Mpumalanga.

Mumble added that the LOC has also sent former journalist Jermaine Craig and ex-CNN presenter Tumi Makgabo from their media and marketing directorate, who are using the Afcon to promote and market the 2010 World Cup.

"Tumi and Jermaine are here to ensure that the 2010 World Cup is visible. It is also a platform for us to update the people attending the Africa Cup of Nations from the continent and globally on the preparations for the tournament."

Other South African soccer leaders attending the tournament include Irvin Khoza, Mwelo Nonkonyana and Raymond Hack.

The South African government has also sent civil servants from the Department of Foreign Affairs - since January 7 - who are working as volunteers at all the four host cities in hospitality, accreditation centres and administration.

lRamatsiyi Moholoa is in Ghana as a guest of Standard Bank.