The campaign, which will see more than 27 000 volunteers taking part, will start in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape on Saturday.

It will focus on towns and cities that will not be hosting any of the World Cup matches and volunteers, mainly young people, will target six towns per province.

Speaking at launch of the campaign on Thursday, NYDA deputy chairperson Yeshen Pillay said the initiative is part of the World Cup legacy programme that will also allow for young people to be empowered with skills in areas of sports administration.

The volunteers will, during the next four weeks, take part in a door-to-door campaign rallying support for the national team while they will also provide educational lessons on the World Cup history, national anthem and national symbols.

“The aim is to really take this hive of activity to the rural areas where people can also feel to be part of this world cup,” Pillay said.

Other long term aspects of the programme will include the promotion of volunteerism in football, provision of coaching clinics to young people and promotion of women participation in football.

SAFA spokesperson Mario Semenya confirmed that the football association will be assisting to identify more than 100 retired soccer players to serve as coaches to the young people.

The campaign, to be rolled out under the theme, ‘Ek se Mzansi…asibesabi (we not scared of them) we are ready’, will include mini soccer tournaments to be undertaken in various towns and is targeted to reach at least 3.4 million people. - BuaNews