October 15 Tuesday 2002
Ambassadors for World Cup

JOHANNESBURG: The World Cup organisers have enlisted the services of 41 African sport stars to act as "ambassadors" for next February's event.At a lavish banquet in Johannesburg, the stars, from sports including golf, tennis, football, athletics and rugby, were unveiled. They included Francois Pienaar, who captained South Africa to 
victory in the rugby World Cup of 1995, and two-time Olympic gold-medallist Kip Keino, the Kenyan middle-distance runner.

From the world of golf, legendary Gary Player and last year's Open winner, Ernie Els, were among the glitterati. This is the biggest gathering of sporting superstars that this country has ever witnessed Football was represented by Lucas Radebe and Doctor Khumalo, while former Formula One world drivers champion Jody Scheckter was also present.

Olympic marathon gold-medallist Josiah Thugwane, multi-titled swim queen Penny Heyns, and South Africa's 'Mr Paralympics' Fanie Lombaard were also present at the banquet.

Dr Ali Bacher, Executive Director of the World Cup, said: "This represents the biggest gathering of sporting superstars that this country has ever witnessed at any one time. To each of you I say, thank you for playing your role in helping us to achieve what I firmly believe is the biggest empowerment project that South African sport has ever embarked upon."

All 41 ambassadors will be paraded at the two-hour opening ceremony of the ICC World Cup at Newlands in Cape Town on February 8. They will perform a variety of functions to promote the World Cup.