South Africa's charms on display at Confederations Cup draw

Johannesburg  - Crimson sunsets, a lion lounging in long savannah grasses, smiling construction workers in hard hats tapping out a gumboot dance - South Africa's charms were on display during the Confederations Cup draw in Johannesburg on Saturday.

There was plenty to smile about, both for the organizers FIFA and the spectators.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke could barely contain his excitement at being assisted in the draw by a bevvy of Misses in sumptuous evening dresses.

Seven of the countries taking part in the 2009 Confederations Cup, seen as an organizational dry-run for the World Cup in 2010, were represented at the draw by their countries' contestants in the Miss World pageant that takes place in South Africa in mid-December.

Miss South Africa, Miss Italy, Miss Spain, Miss United States, Miss Brazil, Miss Egypt and Miss New Zealand flanked the FIFA number two as he announced the two groups for the tournament.

Iraq is the other team in the eight-nation tournament, which groups the champions of the six FIFA confederations and the current World Cup champions and next World Cup hosts.

The Iraqis were represented by the reigning Miss World, who hails from China.

The 50-minute draw for the so-called Championship of Champions was a chance for South Africa to tout its attractions to the more than 350,000 visitors expected at the World Cup.

Performances by football-dribbling pantsula (township hip hop) dancers gave a more contemporary feel to a programme of traditional choral singing and African dance.

"In years gone by Africa was known as the dark continent. Not today, not again," Irvin Khoza, chairman of the local organizing committee of the 2010 World Cup told about
450 guests and journalists at the Sandton Convention Centre.

As if to symbolize Africa's changing fortunes, a young girl, surrounded by singers and dancers, threw a fistful of gold dust into the audience.

Stock images of African wildlife and African people with wide smiles filled a giant screen showing scenes from the four venues for the tournament - Johannesburg, Pretoria, Rustenburg and Bloemfontein.

Addressing the world controlling body FIFA about its choice of South Africa to host the World Cup Khoza assured: "We will not let you down."

South Africa's Bafana Bafana side were not let down by the draw either. The team, which was boosted by a rare 3-2 win at home over top African-ranked team Cameroon this week, was drawn with Spain, Iraq and New Zealand - the easier of the two groups. (dpa)

Regions: