Johannesburg, Wednesday, 24 June 2009 – The Limpopo capital of Polokwane is bracing itself for a tourism boom, as it plays host to the opening leg of the 10th anniversary edition of the Vodacom Challenge, where Orlando Pirates will take on Manchester City, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, 18 July (15h00 kickoff).

“The Limpopo Province is home to over 5 million people and geographically touches on the borders of neighbouring countries such as Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. I am sure that our decision to host the opening leg of the Vodacom Challenge in Polokwane will enhance our province’s status as a tourist friendly area that is serious about bringing world class sport to the community,” said CEO of Limpopo Tourism and Parks, Mr Benny Boshielo.

The tournament promoter urges soccer enthusiasts to purchase their match tickets early to ensure that they are among the 18000 supporters expected to watch the opening match of the popular international club tournament.

While two-time tournament winners Orlando Pirates will be keen to show the football skills that saw them contest the Absa Premiership title race down to the final day of the 2008/2009 league season, Manchester City will be looking for their first win on South African soil. Their only previous trip to South Africa, was on a pre-season tour in 1993, in which they beat Santos 1-0 in Cape Town and played to a 1-all draw with Manning Rangers in Chatsworth, near Durban.

While Manchester City are expected to bring a powerful squad to South Africa which includes the likes of Brazilian striker Robinho, Welsh international goal-getter Craig Bellamy and newly-signed England international midfielder Gareth Barry, Orlando Pirates supporters are expected to rally behind their team that is likely to include popular stars such as goal-scorer Katlego Mashego, midfielder Benson Mhlongo and defender Lucas Thwala.

With tickets for the Limpopo leg on sale on sale at Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers and Checkers Hyper outlets nationwide at R100 per ticket (main grandstand, unreserved seating) and R45 per ticket (open seating, unreserved), the tournament promoters have gone out of their way to keep ticket prices reasonable while still guaranteeing a world class, well organised sports entertainment package.

Following the Polokwane match, the English club will travel to Durban to take on Kaizer Chiefs at the Absa Stadium on Tuesday, 21 July (20h15 kickoff). The Buccaneers and the Amakhosi will clash in the Soweto Derby showdown at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Thursday, 23 July (20h15 kickoff).

The coveted Vodacom Challenge title will be on the line when the winners of the Soweto Derby take on Manchester City in the showpiece final at Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane on Saturday, 25 July (15h00 kickoff).

The Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers and Checkers-Hyper outlets are expected to be a hive of activity when football supporters queue to purchase tickets.

KwaZulu Natal soccer supporters will be able to select between the categories of R150 each (main grandstand, reserved), R100 each (north and south stands reserved), R75 each (east stand lower, reserved) and R45 each (east stand upper, unreserved).

Tickets for the Soweto Derby in Port Elizabeth will be on sale at R45 each. Match tickets for the title decider can be purchased at a cost of R150 each (main grandstand, reserved), R100 (north and south stands, reserved), R75 each (east lower stand, reserved) and R45 each (east upper stand unreserved).

For further information, please visit www.vodacomchallenge.com

ABOUT SAIL GROUP
Through extensive insight and unique positioning, the SAIL Group is at the forefront of sport and entertainment marketing innovation in Southern Africa. Backed by our major shareholders Venfin Limited and Vuwa Investments (Pty) Limited, SAIL Group brings our clients’ brands into consumers lives by providing solutions in sport business consulting, sponsorship management, event and hospitality management, and merchandising. SAIL Group is also a private equity investor in sport brands and through its companies, SAIL Sport & Entertainment, CIRCA, EXP and Navitute the promoter of the Vodacom Challenge – a SAIL event.

Maggie Sekoto (Forever Marketing)
Cell: 082 902 3780
Or
Augustine Nethononda (SAIL Group: Executive Promoter)
Cell: 072 671 5862