Johannesburg - Ticket sales for the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa were given a boost Monday with the news that international specialist banking group, Investec, has purchased 50,000 tickets for the tournament. The tickets, valued at 3.5 million rand (388,000 dollars) across various ticket categories, will be distributed amongst the company's staff and to deserving local communities, Investec revealed.

The block-buy means applications have now been made to purchase more than half of the 640,000 tickets available for sale for the 16 matches at the Confederations Cup, which runs June 14-29 and is seen as a warm-up for the 2010 World Cup in the country.

"There is a great deal of optimism surrounding South Africa's role as next year's host of the world's premier football competition and by means of Investec's contribution to the success of this year's Confederations Cup, many South Africans throughout the country will now be able to experience the pre-World Cup build-up excitement," said Andy Leith, managing director of Investec South Africa.

The tournament kicks off on June 14 at Johannesburg's Ellis Park Stadium with a match between South Africa and Asian champions Iraq. (dpa)