Fifa looks for more SA sponsors

Johannesburg - Fifa is looking for four more South African sponsors for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

In Sandton on Wednesday Fifa marketing director Thierry Weil announced that he was here to seek additional national sponsors.

"In 2006 Germany had six national sponsors. At this stage in South Africa there are only two, First National Bank (FNB) and Telkom. We would prefer four, but may have to be satisfied with an additional two."

Tournament sponsors fall into three broad groups - one group of six partners, another of six sponsors, and the final group of national supporters. It's within the latter group, into which FNB and Telkom fall, that Fifa is looking for more contributions. These companies' sponsorships were each worth about $30m (R250m).

Another South African company, MTN, falls in the second group. Sponsorships in this group are worth some $65m (R550m).

Weil says the tournament does not lack money and will not be cancelled should sponsors not be found. But he does note that the global economic crisis has affected the budgets of existing tournament sponsors. "Whereas, for instance, many foreign children would have come to participate in the events, far fewer are now expected. Local children will have an opportunity instead."

Weil mentions that new sponsors may provide services instead of donating money to Fifa.

"Should a security company, for example, offer to do all our security free of charge, this could form part of a sponsorship."

By late on Wednesday afternoon about 350 000 tickets had been sold for the Confederations Cup, which starts in a month's time. A total of 640 000 tickets are available for this event.

- Sake24.com

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