FIFA President Sepp Blatter has promised to visit Zimbabwe before next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa following an invitation by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, according to media reports.

DPM Mutambara was in South Africa on a special visit to meet with FIFA officials and reportedly extended his invitation to the world soccer mother body boss.
Blatter has been in South Africa for the Confederations Cup finals, which were eventually won by Brazil after beating the USA 3-2 on Sunday at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.

According to on-line media reports DPM Mutambara told journalists after meeting with the FIFA delegation that Blatter expressed an interest in visiting the country, without specifying dates.”The Deputy Prime Minister said Blatter expressed enthusiasm in visiting Zimbabwe and promised to come before the World Cup tournament. He however did not set a specific date for his visit,” reports said.

About a week ago, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief executive officer Karikoga Kaseke indicated that his organisation had invited Blatter to visit the country.Kaseke said although they had received positive responses, ZTA was told that they had to follow certain procedures to invite the FIFA boss.

The ZTA chief executive, recently in South Africa, also said the South African Football Association (SAFA) deputy president Irvine Khoza, also the chairman of the 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) was expected in the country very soon as part of the international showcase awareness campaign.
Khoza, who was expected in the country last year reportedly confirmed his trip and his presence is expected to present a chance for various stakeholders to be conscientised on issues related to the 2010 World Cup.

According to Kaseke, Khoza will be in the country before 15 July.
The ZTA boss also announced that at the end of the year, teams that would be participating in the world’s biggest showcase would be in South Africa for a workshop and at the time, countries that expect to host these sides would present their cases at the workshop.

Zimbabwe was not initially invited for the programme but was later slotted in.
With the international showcase being held in neighbouring South Africa next year, Zimbabwe expects to make millions of dollars from tourists and even training visits from international soccer sides who might wish to camp in the country.

Tourists visiting the country before and after the 2010 World Cup could present a new lease of life for the Zimbabwean economy and a morale booster for soccer players and fans if countries like Brazil, Germany, Spain, England and many others visit the country for a brief stay before the showcase.