All reports by Ramatsiyi Moholao

All reports by Ramatsiyi Moholao

Soccer federations from Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast are among those who have bought stands to exhibit during the 2008 Soccerex in Sandton, starting on Monday.

Gauteng MEC for sport, recreation, arts and culture, Barbara Creecy, identified the other federations as those from Senegal, Kenya, Namibia and Togo.

"We have always said that our aim in hosting Soccerex is to encourage delegate participation from the wider upstream and downstream South African and African industries associated with professional football.

"This year more than 50 percent of the delegates come from Africa and South Africa, 47 percent of the exhibitors are from Africa with 100 representatives from clubs, leagues and associations across Africa.

"In an effort to promote our domestic football industry and share the benefits of Soccerex with other South African cities and provinces, we have ensured that all nine provinces and all major cities have exhibition stands.

"Delegates from Safa, the PSL, Orlando Pirates, Jomo Cosmos and Ajax Cape Town will be in attendance. Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Platinum Stars will host exhibition stands."

More than 4 000 delegates from 95 countries have registered to take part in this year's exhibition, which will also be attended by top brass from Fifa.

Creecy also announced that the Gauteng provincial government will unveil a partnership with Brazil at the Soccerex next week.