Botswana's Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism believes that of all South Africa's neighbours, Botswana is perhaps the best placed country to attract international football teams seeking preparation ahead of a competition that for the first time crosses into Africa.

As a potential training base for teams ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Ministry states that Botswana offers political stability, high quality infrastructure, popular support for hosting teams, ambitious development plans to bring certain facilities up to the required standard, a climate and, in certain cases, an altitude similar to South Africa. And most importantly, the Ministry says, it has an understanding of the demands of international football teams in this generation and a readiness to meet those demands.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup, and its build up, is a unique opportunity for Botswana to raise its profile in key markets around the world. On that note, a task force team under the Botswana Tourism Board in the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism has been formed to come up with a national strategy for the country towards hosting of international football teams during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The expectations are high, the general mood is positive and the opportunity is ripe for the country to harness the entrepreneurial spirit of its people to achieve greater levels of economic growth and sustainable development, stated the Ministry.

[18 Sep 2007 12:48]

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