The Western Cape government is to hold a "groundbreaking" Football Summit to develop strategies for soccer growth ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup and beyond.

The football summit to be held in Cape Town next weekend is expected to attract about 250 South African Football Association [SAFA] members from the province.

They will put their heads together in a day-long session to discuss issues that will enhance the development of soccer in the province.

Some of the expected outcomes include an agreement on a common football development strategy with the focus on 2010 and beyond.

Green Point Stadium has been endorsed as the preferred venue to host one of the 2010 semi-final matches, after a feasibility study found the venue the only one suitable in Cape Town where a soccer match of that magnitude could be held.

"We also want to create awareness amongst the football community, local government, business and all relevant sectors about the 2010 campaign," said the provincial Department of Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation.

Delegations will also discuss strategies to build sound relationships with professional soccer teams of Cape Town and how to grow public support for them.

In a statement, MEC Whitey Jacobs expressed full confidence in the football leadership's ability to tackle these strategies.

"The summit will also serve as a platform to launch the Western Cape 2010 campaign as part of our programme to play a significant role in the development of sport especially ahead of 2010," he said.

More importantly, there would be discussions on the facilities and best ways to improve access to those facilities.

The soccer indaba will be preceded by a gala-dinner where Premier Ebrahim Rasool is to honour SAFA President Molefi Oliphant, CEO of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Danny Jordaan and LOC Chairperson, Irvin Khoza for their role in bringing the World Cup to South Africa and Africa.

The Mpumalanga government is also hosting a similar meeting in Badplaas this weekend, as the province will host some of the matches during the 2010 World Cup.

A stadium will be built on community-owned land in Mataffin outside Nelspruit, and is expected to cost R600 million.

Titled "Road towards 2010 and beyond", the football indaba will focus on the development of a five-year strategic plan.

It will look at ways of enhancing the participation of boys and girls in soccer, creating a platform for talent identification and nurturing through skills development.

It is also expected to assist the current restructuring process of football in the province; develop a focused strategy on football development for 2010 and beyond.

"We also want to encourage non-racialism and democracy through sport and encourage partnership between South African Football Association, government and provincial department of Culture, Sport and Recreation said. - BuaNews