Durban - King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and his wife Queen Ntokozo Mayisela-Zulu plan to travel to Qatar to attend the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
The announcement was made on Tuesday in a statement issued by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
“His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has informed me that he intends to undertake a trip to the State of Qatar. His Majesty has been invited, together with Her Majesty Queen Ntokozo Mayisela-Zulu, to attend the 2022 Fifa World Cup,” said Buthelezi, who is the traditional prime minister to the Zulu monarch and nation.
Buthelezi said the World Cup begins on Sunday, November 20, with the hosts taking on Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium. The final match will be played on December 18.
This is the first international trip to be undertaken by King Misuzulu since he was formally recognised as the new king of the Zulu nation last month.
A certificate of recognition was handed to him by President Cyril Ramaphosa at a coronation event which was attended by thousands at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
King Misuzulu succeeded his father King Goodwill Zwelithini who died last year.
According to Fifa, Qatar is making history by hosting not only their first Fifa World Cup, but the first to be staged in the Middle East.
“It will be the smallest nation ever to host the global finals, allowing visitors to navigate the country with ease – and even plan for watching multiple matches on the same day. Add to the mix traditional Arab hospitality, and winter weather ideal for watching and playing the beautiful game,” said Fifa in a statement.
Meanwhile Durban is playing host to the World Football Summit Africa tomorrow and Thursday at the Durban International Convention Centre.
The report said this edition will be the first time the summit will be held in Africa. Durban was scheduled to host the event on March 17-18, 2020, but had to cancel it due to Covid-19.
“The event is being held for the first time on African soil and is expected to attract 1 200 delegates. As a gathering of leading football business leaders, the summit will benefit local professional and semi-professional football clubs,” said eThekwini Municipality on its Facebook page on Tuesday.