They’re round, four metres high, covered in autographs - and are igniting the hopes and passion of South African soccer fans across the nation. The Hyundai Goodwill Balls have finally arrived in Durban after a whirlwind tour of Joburg, Bloem, Cape Town, and even Parliament. Now it’s Durban’s chance to feel part of the ‘gees’ and sign the South African Goodwill Ball that arrives at Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World on Sunday 21 March.

A celebrity signing session will kick off the balls’ Durban leg at 10h00 this Sunday. Expect an assortment of popular radio jocks, musicians and politicians all clambering for the chance to sign the South African ball. The public is encouraged to join in the festivities, dressed as football fans, to write their messages of goodwill on the giant ball. The most passionate fans who really bring the ‘gees’ to SUNCOAST stand a chance of winning 2010 FIFA World CupTM tickets. There are also Hyundai vehicles up for grabs.

SUNCOAST will proudly display all 32 balls that represent each of the nations participating in the 2010 FIFA World CupTM, over a period of 8 weeks. Each Sunday up until 9 May, different giant Goodwill Balls will be on display at SUNCOAST according to the Group allocation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for the whole family to get a taste of 2010 FIFA World Cup™  magic,” says Hyundai Chief Executive Alan Ross. "From a street vendor downtown, to a high-flying businessman in a boardroom, we've all been united behind this event."

The Goodwill Ball Road Show is a signature Hyundai programme and has been a popular feature of all major football tournaments since EURO 2000 ™. The road show has become a symbolic initiative that encourages excitement among soccer lovers around the world.  It has featured at major soccer tournaments including the 2006 World Cup Germany™ and EURO 2008™. There are currently another 32 Hyundai Goodwill Balls embarking on journeys across their respective countries ahead of the tournament in June collecting messages of goodwill from fans and prominent citizens alike. They will end their voyages back in Johannesburg in June, with a great celebration just before kick-off.  The balls will then follow their teams and the messages will be on display at match venues for the entire duration of the tournament.

Since the Goodwill Ball’s launch in late January, our own South African Goodwill Ball has embarked on a journey into communities across the country, providing a powerful opportunity to unite South Africans from diverse communities in support of the national team and the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.  The ball has been signed by thousands of members of the public and among those are some of South Africa’s best loved personalities, including Jomo Sono, Elana Afrika, Vanessa Haywood and Roland Schoeman. South Africa’s leaders have also got the behind the ball - Tokyo Sexwale, Butana Khompela and chairperson of the FIFA LOC, Danny Jordaan have all written their message of goodwill on the ball.
Some high profile ball displays to look out for are those to be set up on 21 March representing Group 1 teams South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay and France, or catch hot favourites Brazil and Portugal during the Group 7 weekend on 1 May.

The dates and groups of the The Hyundai Goodwill Ball Road Show at SUNCOAST are: