With a year to go until the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ kicks off, Hyundai Motor Company officially started the countdown to the world's greatest sporting event as it delivered a fleet of 78 vehicles to the local organising committee of FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009. Customarily held in the World Cup host nation a year before the World Cup, the Confederations Cup is widely viewed as a test run of facilities and management.
The two-week tournament, being played in four South African cities, opened June 14th at Johannesburg's Ellis Park Stadium. Eight national teams will be competing for the world crown: South Africa, Italy, Egypt, Iraq, Spain, USA, New Zealand and Brazil. For the tournament, Hyundai delivered 66 passenger cars and 12 buses to FIFA and the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (LOC) at the Expo Center in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Already a proud supporter of the Qantas Socceroos and Hyundai A-League, Hyundai Motor Company Australia is right behind the Australian national team as it prepares for an exciting campaign in the World Cup Finals in South Africa next year.
"Football is continuing to grow in Australia and the Qantas Socceroos progression to South Africa is sure to create enormous interest in the game next year," commented Kevin McCann, Hyundai's Director of Sales and Marketing.
Hyundai is one of the strongest supporters of football in the world having served as the official sponsor of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea / Japan™ and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ as well as many other FIFA tournaments including the FIFA Confederations Cup. The company has extended its strategic sponsorship agreement with FIFA to cover the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. Hyundai has not only infused a new sense of fun and excitement into the game, but through its sponsorship of international football it has also achieved significant increases in brand awareness and image.
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