Mogale City executive mayor Koketso Calvin Seerane and Portuguese Football Federation secretary general Angelo Brou flanked by the head coach Carlos Queiroz and Onfre Costa

17 June 2010

VARIOUS exchange programmes are expected to mushroom between Mogale City Local Municipality and the Portuguese football federation, the FPF, which have signed a memorandum.

The deal between the two was entered into by Executive Mayor Koketso Calvin Seerane and the FPF president, Gilberto Madaíl. It is expected to be beneficial during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and beyond.

Mogale City and the FPF have agreed to co-operate and work together to facilitate football skills development and viable economic development opportunities.

"This ground-breaking sporting initiative by the city is one among many social projects which we undertake to give a lasting legacy for our communities during and beyond the World Cup. We can say that our City sports infrastructure refurbishment climaxes in tandem with this great moment in the history of our country," Seerane said.

One of the legacy projects that the two have undertaken is the revamping of Bekker High School's training facility, which is being used by the Portuguese national team as their training base during their stay in Mogale City.

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The municipality has invested at least R4,5-million in the project. It will not only benefit the school community but the entire community of Mogale City, the rural areas more so. The City's financial obligation includes infrastructure refurbishment relating to the grandstand and dressing room.

For the duration of the World Cup, the Portuguese national team are based at Valley Lodge in Magaliesburg, which is 15 minutes away from the training base. This premium country hideaway is situated in extensive grounds and is surrounded by a nature reserve on the banks of the Magalies River.

The two parties intend exploring long-term goals that will benefit both of them, including the establishment of a football academy in Mogale City for up and coming football stars; the awarding of scholarships to upcoming football stars in Mogale City; and setting up exchange programmes for football players between Mogale City and Portugal.

"The social impact of these projects will be gradually felt across the city going forward, and we urge our children's parents to coax, cajole and direct kids towards sporting careers. We have many sports legends who always share their experiences and benefits of careers in sport," the mayor said.

"So let us embrace this soccer initiative so that we can produce our own Christiano Ronaldo. We are extremely grateful to the FPF for its openness, willingness to leave a legacy for our community and enthusiasm. It is really a proud moment for our city."

Madaíl's federation also committed to donating gym facilities to Mogale City in partnership with the South African Football Association, as well as to participating in football clinics through football education to promising future football stars.

Mogale City is hosting two national teams competing in the first-ever FIFA World Cup to be held on African soil. The other team residing in Mogale City is Australia, also known as the Socceroos.

The Socceroos are based at the Kloofzicht Lodge in Magaliesburg and are using Ruimsig Stadium as their training base.

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