The Football for Hope Festival 2010 reached an important milestone today with the official site inauguration in Alexandra, Johannesburg.

But the site itself was not the only thing to be officially revealed: the girls and boys of the festival's host team, Team Alexandra, were also presented to the public for the first time.

Among the many guests attending the site inauguration were streetfootballworld Managing Director Jürgen Griesbeck, 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa CEO Dr. Danny Jordaan and Johannesburg's member of the mayoral committee for community development, Bafana Sithole.

FIFA President Joseph Blatter, who was unable to attend the ceremony, marked the event with a message.

"For the first time, the social dimension of the game will be celebrated as an official element of the World Cup. We hope that the eyes of the world will be on Alexandra," he said.

"Football can bring hope to the lives of young people," added Jürgen Griesbeck. "This festival will be a celebration of the people who dedicate their lives to helping others in their community using the game we all love."

Local heroes
Since no celebration would be complete without a football match, Team Alexandra was put to the test soon after being introduced, taking on African football celebrities such as former internationals Phil Masinga, Brian Baloyi and Alfred Maimane Phiri in an All-Star friendly match.

World Cup mascot Zakumi was on hand to cheer both sides on.

Team Alexandra consists of eight young people from Alexandra, including 15-year-old Thumeka, who is proud that despite her disadvantaged background she was selected to represent Alexandra on a global stage.

“I’m extremely excited to be part of this," she said. "It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. For me, it is an opportunity to empower myself and learn more about other cultures."

Thumeka's experience will certainly be useful on her way to achieving her dream of becoming a community leader in Alexandra.

The Football for Hope Festival 2010
The Football for Hope Festival is an official event of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and is organised by FIFA, streetfootballworld, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa and the City of Johannesburg.

Click here to find out more about the Site Inauguration.