Gauteng to promote soccer business industry

Gauteng to promote soccer business industry

Johannesburg - The Gauteng Economic Development Agency (GEDA) is to promote soccer as a business industry by finding ways to improve the sector in order to contribute to the Gross Domestic Product.

The GEDA will on Wednesday host a business development seminar that will focus on growing and expanding the soccer business industry, bringing together stakeholders from across the board.

The seminar will look at various ways to develop the industry as a focus business sector that contributes immensely to the GDP of Gauteng and its standing as a competitive global city region.

The meeting will serve as a forerunner to the multi-billion business-2-business soccer expo in the world known as Soccerex, which is scheduled for 26 to 28 November 2007 in Gauteng.

"With the Gauteng Provincial Government acquiring the rights to host Soccerex for the next three years until 2009, there are clear opportunities for Gauteng to gain strong economic growth from providing this platform for business and grow the football industry locally, in order to provide a sustainable industry beyond the 2010 World Cup™" said GEDA Chief Executive Officer Keith Khoza.

According to GEDA, the organisation aims to assist in these objectives and provide measurable economic benefits not only to the province but the entire region through leveraging the Soccerex property and current running football projects.

It will also offer business support such as securing funding, training and strategic consultancy to local companies wishing to venture into this business in Gauteng.

The day long seminar will deal with topical issues such as funding opportunities for the second economy sectors especially in soccer related fields, Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) in advertising and media through soccer opportunities.

It will also focus on the power of football and why Gauteng is investing more in promoting and hosting world class sporting and cultural events.

"We are diversifying Gauteng's economy and our drive to grow and develop the soccer industry as a powerful economic sector starts with Soccerex.

"Gauteng is home to many multi-national companies and the financial powerhouse for the continent and as such it is an obvious place to launch and grow the soccer industry in the province and for the continent," said Mr Khoza.

Everyone from current soccer business magnates, industry players in the fields of merchandising, hospitality, media owners and sellers and other related sector players are expected to attend the seminar.

Speakers expected to address the seminar include leading soccer business personalities and a representative from a FIFA accredited company working on its accommodation and travel logistics.

The Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Barbara Creecy and other officials from the Department of Economic Development and Finance will also address the gathering