All reports by Ramatsiyi Moholoa

All reports by Ramatsiyi Moholoa

The Local Organising Committee is planning a big gumba to celebrate the historic day South Africa won the right to host the 2010 World Cup finals.

This event, which is expected to attract a big turnout, including representatives from neighbouring Botswana, will take place at Sun City on May 15.

The Botswana government have formed a partnership with the North West provincial government in relation to all the World Cup activities.

It is a joint partnership between the LOC and North West provincial government, who are pulling out all stops to host major national sporting events.

The event will coincide with the May 15 2004 announcement by Fifa present Sepp Blatter that the World Cup is coming to our shores.

Kennedy Mosiapoa, the North West provincial government's 2010 World Cup coordinator, said they were on track with the preparations for this event.

"May 15 will always remain one of the most historic days for us in South Africa, that is why we felt that we needed to celebrate it.

"There will be other celebrations on a smaller scale in some of the other host cities, but ours will be the national one and we are excited that it will be in our province," Mosiapoa said.

"We have been holding a series of meetings with the Local Organising Committee's communications and marketing department.

"It will be one of the biggest sporting fiestas that we plan to make an annual event. It is a big day and so we have to celebrate it in a big way."

Tim Modise, the LOC's communications and marketing director, yesterday confirmed that Sun City will host the national cele- brations.

"We have made a lot of progress. The North West provincial government is on board and it's all systems go for the May 15 celebrations.

"We still have to confirm the speakers and performers," said Modise, adding that full details will be announced in the next few weeks.