Archive for March, 2010

FIFA and Control Room, a leading producer of global music events, today announced the first performing artists for the inaugural FIFA World Cup™ Kick-Off Celebration Concert. Alicia Keys, Amadou & Mariam, Angélique Kidjo, Black Eyed Peas, BLK JKS, John Legend, Juanes, Shakira, The Parlotones, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Touré and Vusi Mahlasela will take to the stage at Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg on the eve of the opening match of the first FIFA World Cup™ on African soil. Further talent announcements will follow.

Billed as the greatest entertainment show to date in Africa, it will feature performances from major international musicians and African artists, as well as appearances by football legends past and present and celebrities from other fields. This historic music event will take place in front of a capacity stadium audience of 30,000 will be broadcast to hundreds of millions more worldwide. It is scheduled to begin at 20.00 local time (GMT+2) on 10 June.

“We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talent raise the curtain on the first FIFA World Cup in Africa. It is testament to the universal and unifying power of football and music, and will start the competition off on the right note – of celebration,” said FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke.

FIFA has selected Emmy Award-winning producer Kevin Wall and his company Control Room to organise and produce the concert. Control Room has masterminded some of the world’s biggest and most complex events, such as Live Earth 2007, which featured 150 artists performing on seven continents over the course of 24 hours to raise awareness of climate change.

“We believe sports and music transcend cultural, language and geographic barriers, and through the official FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert, we will present the sights and sounds of unity and celebration for an unforgettable, must-see experience,” said Wall.

All net proceeds from the concert will be donated to 20 Centres for 2010, the Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, whose aim is to achieve positive social change through football by building 20 centres across Africa offering education and healthcare services as well as football training to disadvantaged communities.

Ticket information
Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime concert can be purchased as of today, either online at www.computicket.com or by telephone on (27) 083 915 8000. Tickets are priced at ZAR 450 (Outer Circle standing), ZAR 650 (Inner Circle standing), ZAR 850 and 950 (Upper Level seated), and ZAR 1,150 (Lower Level seated). Ticket prices include VAT, Computicket charges and Park & Ride for all ticketholders.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) presented the South African government’s security plans for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ to the police representatives and chiefs of security of the participating countries during a two-day workshop held on 4-5 March at the Home of FIFA in Zurich. The discussions, which also included representatives of FIFA, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa, the South African government and INTERPOL, saw a very fruitful exchange of information, and all stakeholders expressed their confidence in the plans.

“FIFA definitely has trust and confidence in South Africa. We saw that the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup was well organised, so now it is time for the whole world to put its trust in South Africa’s ability to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Security is a matter for the government, and we have received adequate guarantees in this regard, so there is no reason to have any doubts. The FIFA World Cup is about enjoyment, and I am convinced that we will have a wonderful festival in South Africa,” said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.

The South African National Commissioner of Police Bhekokwakhe Cele, who provided an overview of the event security, law enforcement and national security plans, added: “Today everybody agrees that this will be a wonderful event. The security personnel in place will be supporting teams, fans and all participants to make sure that they enjoy a fantastic event. We have received very positive feedback from the delegations representing the teams and we will liaise with them to ensure that their security needs are taken care of. We are sure that this preparation will also leave a legacy in all areas of security for the country after the competition.”

Representing INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble at the security workshop, INTERPOL Director of Police Operational Support Services Brian Minihane said: “The workshop has provided an important platform for the law enforcement community worldwide to review and enhance security planning and coordination in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup, during which INTERPOL will be providing South Africa’s police force with key operational support on the ground.”

“We are very happy that this two-day workshop has helped to tackle all the issues that might previously have been unclear in relation to security. I am now entirely confident that we have all the ingredients for a safe and successful World Cup and that we will enjoy it,” concluded Andy Holt, lead on football matters for England’s Association of Chief Police Officers.

“We are very grateful to the teams, the police and the security representatives for their support and cooperation in such an important matter, and for their confidence in us. We have successfully hosted other great sporting events in recent years, including the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, and we are certain that this will be the case again in 2010,” said Organising Committee CEO Danny Jordaan.

Sony Music Entertainment has begun work on the official music album to be released in conjunction with the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa(TM).

The album will be a charity driven project, with all of Sony Music’s net profits being donated to Africa-related charities and all of FIFA’s net profits being donated to the Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) “20 Centres for 2010″ which will create 20 Football for Hope Centres for education, public health and football in disadvantaged communities across Africa.

In addition to the official album, Sony Music will be releasing three official songs, including the official song of the official event mascot Zakumi.

Discussions are already underway with a range of superstar artists about their participation in this World Cup album.

The album will feature creative collaborations between local African and international artists, with an expected release in the weeks preceding the event, which begins in June 2010.

Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corp., an Official Partner of the FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa(TM).

For more information on FIFA and its competitions, especially the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa(TM), please visit the official website at www.FIFA.com.

Source: Sony Music Entertainment

Visa, a FIFA World Cup(TM) Worldwide Partner, is offering Abbey International clients the chance to win tickets to the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) in South Africa.

The lucky winner will receive two tickets to attend the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) final, pre-match hospitality and three nights’ accommodation in a double occupancy 4 star hotel room from the 9 to 12 July 2010.

Abbey International will also contribute GBP1,500 towards return flights to the event.

To enter the competition, you will need to apply or request an upgrade to a Visa Platinum or Visa Infinite deferred-debit card, available with the Abbey International Gold account. Minimum deposits and terms apply. The competition is open from 16 February until 30 April 2010.

Head of Client Experience at Abbey International Jane Matthews comments, “Abbey International has always prided itself on giving its clients the best possible service and our Visa deferred-debit cards evidence this, bringing together a range of exceptional business and personal account services and lifestyle opportunities.”

For competition information, please visit http://www.abbeyinternational.com/competition