The 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) has announced the appointment of eight of the 10 venue managers required for the event.

The venue managers are: Mandla 'Shoes' Mazibuko (Loftus Stadium), Veli Mahlangu (Mbombela Stadium), Mmbulaheni Kirsten Nematandani (Peter Mokaba Stadium), Teral Cullen (Green Point Stadium), Mpho Colin Modisakeng (Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace), Achileus Charalambous (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium), Bongi Hlophe (Durban Stadium) and Derek Blanckensee (Ellis Park for the FIFA Confederations Cup and Soccer City for the 2010 FIFA World Cup).

Venue managers will be responsible for leading and managing the venue operations in the host cities for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 and 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The venue managers are also responsible for the delivery of these events by managing and implementing working relationships between the LOC's Headquarters and other key role players, such as the host city representatives, provincial government and local football structures affiliated to the South African Football Association (SAFA).

LOC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Danny Jordaan, said the appointment of the venue managers came at a very important time for the Organising Committee.

"After the Beijing Olympics, there will be only one big show on earth and that is the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa," explained Jordaan.

He added: "Media interest in the World Cup will intensify and from an organising point of view we need to move from a centrally-based headquarter to a decentralised structure.

"In each host city, we must begin to build a structure that will deliver this World Cup in all 10 host cities the event will take place in, with the infrastructure required to deliver in each of those cities. The appointment of the venue managers is therefore a first step and a very important step in that process."

LOC Chief Officer of Competitions, Dennis Mumble, said the venue managers were chosen for their extensive administrative experience, as well as their experience of working for many years in South African football and 2010 organising structures.

"The venue managers are the key components of the system we have put together to deliver the World Cup. And it is our pleasure at the Organising Committee to welcome them on board.

"They are people with strong administrative and events backgrounds, who have also had great exposure to this particular sport in South Africa for many years," concluded Mumble.

Meanwhile, tickets for the Confederations Cup, featuring European champions Spain, South American champions Brazil, African champions Egypt, Asian champions Iraq, CONCACAF champions United States, hosts South Africa and reigning world champions Italy, will go on sale on 23 November, 2008.