As the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ approaches more and more HBS staff members have been relocating to South Africa to prepare for the operational period. In order for staff to be fully prepared for the complexities of the project each and every employee is required to attend a comprehensive orientation session. The orientation sessions are conducted by HBS Training Senior Manager Tania Pellegrini and include detailed explanations of event-time procedures as well as information about HBS' structure and policies and tips about life in South Africa during the event.

The recent MRL Venue Tour of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ stadiums provided broadcasters with the opportunity to witness the hard work and progress made in the finalisation of ten top class and unique competition venues.

With the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ between hosts South Africa and Mexico just 135 days away, the final preparations for the event are in overdrive. Whilst the ten competition stadiums are nearing final completion, early January witnessed the handover of the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) premises by the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) to the LOC and HBS, marking a significant juncture in the lifespan of the IBC. With the clearance of the venue now complete, work on the set-up and installation of temporary facilities has begun.

The Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ took place in Cape Town on 4 December before an audience including South African President Jacob Zuma, FIFA President Joseph Blatter, football stars past and present and broadcasters from around the world. By the end of the event the first 48 matches of the tournament had been determined, allowing coaches to start thinking about tactics, fans to make their travel arrangements and Host Broadcast Services to begin the most difficult part of its four-year (and then some) undertaking.

Newsletters - 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™