PRESS RELEASE: Joburg's faith groups urged to support Afcon 2013 through prayer
An appeal has been made to faith-based communities in Johannesburg to pray for the successful hosting of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and to urge their followers to support the tournament.
“We encourage our faith-based communities to pray for the successful organisation of the tournament – but also for our national team – as they meet in churches, mosques, synagogues and other places of worship. The City has earmarked the weekend starting on Friday 11 January to Sunday 13 January 2013 as the official “AFCON PRAYER WEEKEND,” says Johannesburg’s City Manager, Trevor Fowler.
“This will be clear and powerful demonstration of unity within the city and send out a strong message of support to the organisers of the tournament and to Bafana Bafana.”
Mr Fowler says request for prayers is being extended to the entire spectrum of religious communities in the City. “This is a unique opportunity for the faithful from all religious traditions and denominations to devote a small, but significant, part of their service to an initiative that benefits all the people of Johannesburg.”
The Orange Africa Cup of Nations is the biggest multinational event to be held in Johannesburg since the successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It will bring together thousands of football enthusiasts from across Africa for a three week celebration of the continent’s best teams and super star players.
Mr Fowler says faith-based communities responded exceptionally well to support the 2010 World Cup and ensured community participation in the City’s hosting of the event.
“We want to rekindle that spirit of enthusiasm, commitment and volunteerism during AFCON 2013 and we are confident that our religious communities will again take the lead to mobilise support,” he says.
“AFCON 2013 will be a period of great celebration for the people of Johannesburg. We encourage residents and visitors to our city to wear the colours of the national team to demonstrate their support and we trust that this initiative will also be visible at places of worship,” says Mr Fowler.
Both the opening ceremony on 19 January and the closing match on February 10 will be held at the National Stadium.
For more information on the AFCON visit www.http://joburgafcon2013.co.za/ <http://www.http:/joburgafcon2013.co.za/>
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Editorial contact:
Shirley Pharamela
011 784 0602
076 383 3518
Shirley@prpowerhouse.co.za
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