GREATER Tzaneen municipal mayor Othaniel Mushwana is optimistic that the municipal games set to take place later this year will boost the local economy.

GREATER Tzaneen municipal mayor Othaniel Mushwana is optimistic that the municipal games set to take place later this year will boost the local economy.

Mushwana was speaking at a press briefing in Tzaneen on Friday, where a plan to host a 2010 Southern Africa Inter-municipal games was unveiled.

He said local businesses will be able to generate good income as thousands of players from all participating municipalities in SA will spend seven days in Greater Tzaneen.

"We are quite confident that the local hospitality industry will benefit the most. Visitors to the tournament will need accommodation," Mushwana said.

The briefing was attended by the International Executive Committee of the Southern Africa Inter-municipal Sports Association (Saimsa) .

The tournament, in which 60 municipalities across the country is expected to take part, will take place in Tzaneen from September 24 to October 1.

The event will be coordinated by the International Executive Committee of the Southern Africa Inter-municipal Sports Association.

Mushwana said the games would come right after SA and the continent had witnessed the long-awaited 2010 World Cup.

Southern Africa Inter-municipal Sports Association president David Sono said last year only 48 municipalities too part in the tournament, but this had been increased to 60 this year since more had shown an interest in competing.

Sono said municipalities would compete in a wide range of sportting codes, including soccer, netball, volleyball, tennis golf, fishing, darts and pool. There will also be a 5km fun run.

According to Sono the event is similar to Olympic competitions for the municipalities.

Sono said he believed it would be a privilege for Tzaneen to host the games just two months after the Fifa World Cup.