Egypt's stocks close in red on Monday as benchmark EGX 30 dips 0.07%    Egypt's stocks start week higher, benchmark EGX 30 gains 0.48%    Fitch affirms Egypt's long-term foreign currency issuer default rating at B+    The unvaccinated prohibited from entry to Egypt state institutions starting December 1    Russia to lift COVID restrictions on flights to Egypt's Red Sea resorts on Nov. 9    Egypt, Greece ink deal for first subsea power link between Europe and Africa    Egypt hosts regional conference of EU refugee agency EASO    SCOHRE sparks discussion on harm reduction, tobacco control    Egypt to receive first of six high-trains from Spain's Talgo in mid-November    Egypt's iron and steel exports jump 197% in 8 months    Ethiopia halts work at its embassy in Egypt for 'economic reasons'    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Over 100 officials resign from Tunisia's main Islamist party    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egyptian court bans use of mosques for political purposes    Brazil calls up 8 EPL players for World Cup qualifying    Refugees in fear as sentiment turns against them in Turkey    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Sisi calls on House, Senate to commence second legislative sessions on 3, 5 October    Huawei Technologies has invested $10 mln over 5 years in innovation centres in Egypt    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    Qa'a play showing at Lycee El Horreya Theatre, Alexandria is a must go    Orange Egypt Introduces Amazon Prime Video    Tokyo Olympics: Cautious opening ceremony, shy start for Egyptians in competitions    Mallawi Museum in Upper Egypt holds recycling workshop for children during Eid Al-Adha    Egypt keen on stable tax policies to attract more investors: Finance Minister    Sudan declares state of emergency as water goes beyond Merowe Dam capacity    Niagara Falls illuminated in Egyptian flag to mark 23 July Revolution anniversary    Capital flows into EM keep recovering after March 2020 slump: Central Bank of Egypt    1 child orphaned every 12 seconds due to COVID-19-associated death: World Bank    Egypt, Japanese Olympic Committee discuss boosting sports cooperation    US emphasises AU's role in mediating Ethiopian damdispute    Ethiopia ready to resume dam talks with no legally binding agreements: Ethiopian official    Sunken city of Thônis-Heracleion in Egypt's Abu Qir bay yields new archaeological treasures    New films, concerts, and destinations for Eid Al-Adha holidays    Egypt, Oman discuss enhancing bilateral economic, investment relations    Al Ahly v Kaizer Chiefs: Cairo giants eye 10th CAF Champions League title    Tunisia hopes to have a UN role in resolving Egypt-Ethiopia dam dispute    APO Group enters new exclusive agreement with Getty Images on African press releases and images    On International Museum Day, Egypt opens two new museums at Cairo Airport    Old Cairo's Al-Fustat will be revamped on Egyptian President's directives    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



South Africa's soccer, rugby play together for Mandela
Mandela, South Africa's first democratically elected president, has strong ties to sport in his country
AP Published in Ahram Online on 02 - 07 - 2013

South Africa's national soccer and rugby teams will play on the same day at the former World Cup showpiece stadium in Soweto to honor Nelson Mandela, bringing together the country's two most popular sports that once portrayed its racial divisions.
The South African sports ministry said Tuesday that the Nelson Mandela Sports Day on Aug. 17 at FNB Stadium - formerly Soccer City - was aimed at uniting the country and the world ''in celebration and promotion'' of the anti-apartheid leader's legacy.
While calling it a celebration, the ministry also noted the somber mood in South Africa, with its inspiring former president, now 94, still critically ill in the hospital.
''The launch happens at a time when South Africa is a nation in distress following the hospitalization our father and icon Nelson Mandela, who also happens to be the primary inspiration behind this initiative,'' the ministry said.
On the day, South Africa's soccer team will face Burkina Faso in an exhibition match and the Springboks will start their Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina, both at the 94,000-seat FNB Stadium on the outskirts of Soweto, a site which also holds significance for sport and for Mandela.
The old FNB was where Mandela made his first speech in Johannesburg and held his first major rally after his release from prison in 1990. Soccer City was where Mandela made his last public appearance at the 2010 World Cup final, the first time soccer's biggest tournament was held in Africa.
South Africa's first democratically elected president has strong ties to sport, having famously supported the rugby team when it won the World Cup in 1995, and then the soccer team a year later when it lifted the African Cup of Nations trophy at the FNB.
Rugby and soccer were previously examples of South Africa's racial segregation, with rugby followed by whites and soccer by blacks until Mandela's act of reconciliation and unity at the '95 Rugby World Cup.
The Aug. 17 sports day also will have a music concert and another soccer game between former South African and Italian internationals. South Africa's continental champion netball team and leading Springboks try-scorer Bryan Habana will be recognized, the sports ministry said.
South Africa's minister of sport and minister of arts and culture will visit Mandela's foundation offices in Johannesburg on Wednesday to deliver messages of support for the ailing former president, they said.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter [email protected] Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/75494.aspx

Clic here to read the story from its source.