Soccer Fever Grips Suncoast as 2010 Events Kick into High Gear

Vuvuzelas will blow, giant inflatable soccer balls will be paraded and the soccer-themed art of local artists will come to grace the spaces of tourists, as an entertaining line-up of activities is hosted at Durban's Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World throughout the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The casino complex is at the centre of much of the soccer fever gripping the city thanks to its prime location just a short stroll between Durban's mighty Moses Mabhida Stadium and the newly revamped beachfront.

Carnival Kickoff

The action kicks off with the Vuvuzela Moment celebrated on Wednesday 9 June at exactly 12 noon. Those at SUNCOAST will be encouraged to observe five minutes of madness as flags are flown and vuvuzelas, whistles and car horns blown across the country, in support of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the national team.

On Friday 11 June the pre-match festivities in Durban kick off with the Hyundai Goodwill Ball Carnival hosted by official FIFA World Cup transport provider, Hyundai SA. This is the culmination of the international Hyundai Goodwill Ball Road Shows which saw 32 giant inflatable balls traversing the globe for fans to sign messages of goodwill in support of the participating teams.

Standing 4m high, the 32 giant balls will be paraded in Durban from 10h30 on Friday, leaving Destination Market (the old Amphitheatre beachfront market) to wind their way to the finish spot at SUNCOAST by 12 noon. The public is encouraged to wear their green and gold with pride and join in the festivities of the parade before the historical opening ceremony and big match.

2010 Fine Art

The SUNCOAST Zone has also been transformed into a spectacular art gallery where the works of leading artists from each of the 32 participating nations will hold pride of place throughout the soccer spectacle. The 2010 Fine Art exhibition was launched at SUNCOAST on Tuesday, 1 June and is open for free public viewing from 2 June until 31 July, from 10am until 10pm.

This is the first time in the 80-year history of the FIFA World Cup that fine art on this scale has been recognised as Official Licensed Products by FIFA another proudly South African first for 2010.

Art collectors, football fans, and all lovers of great beauty now have the unique opportunity to acquire for themselves a piece of the excitement and passion of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, captured by some of the world's leading artistic talents.

Suncafe

For a relaxing break in between matches, get down to the grassed SUNDeck in front of the SUNCOAST complex, where the Suncafe Beach Bar will provide the perfect environment for locals and tourists to lap up the Durban sunshine. Suncafe will run from Thursday 10 June to Monday 12 July from 7am to 7pm each day. It includes a bar service, music, fun activities and promotions, and entry will be free.

Entertainment, diski dancing and more

From Football Fridays celebrated with enthusiasm by all staff and tenants, to diski dancing flash mobs, visitors can certainly expect to experience the unadulterated pleasure of 2010 FIFA World Cup fever at SUNCOAST. Even the famous SUNCOAST dolphins water feature at the front of the complex has been given the SA flag treatment and is proving a popular photo stop for camera-toting tourists.

Gaming enthusiasts haven't been forgotten - log on to www.suncoastcasino.co.za to find out all the details of SUNCOAST's soccer-themed Time to Play gaming promotion.

Parking and Street Access

The easiest access route to reach SUNCOAST on match days will be via Blue Lagoon Drive. Guests are encouraged to arrive well in advance as the SUNCOAST parking lot will be filling up fast.

On Durban match days Club Festival members belonging to SUNCOAST's loyalty programme (see www.clubfestival.co.za) will receive free access to the parking area upon presentation of their Club Festival cards, while a R50 flat tariff applies to all other patrons.

On days where there are no Durban matches, the standard R5 flat rate applies.

With all this soccer action and excitement, SUNCOAST is the ONLY place to be if you can't actually be at the game!

For more info visit www.suncoastcasino.co.za

Ends

Media Enquiries:

Jozi Donjeany

Meropa Communications

Tel: 031 2010 550

Cell: 0798982211

jozid@meropa.co.za

For more info:     

SUNCOAST Marketing Department

Tel: 031 328 3000

www.suncoastcasino.co.za