Beach soccer in South Africa is set to take a step up to an international level after Durban was recently confirmed as host of one of the Pro Beach Soccer Tour events in December.
After South Africa's successful hosting of the African qualifiers for the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup in September, the organisers have been granted a spot on the international tour calendar.
Among the world teams who could grace our sands from December 6-10 are Spain and England and Brazil, who are now hosting the World Cup that South Africa failed to qualify for.
Lawrie Golding, of promotions company G3 Lifestyle Management Network, said that letters of invitation had been sent to four international teams, and the letter inviting South Africa was being prepared.
The tour is described as a series of exhibition matches around the world to promote beach soccer. Some of the world's top teams have already participated in tour events in Peru, Poland, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Thailand.
The sport's world governing body, Beach Soccer Worldwide, says the tour is an opportunity for emerging and existing beach soccer nations to demonstrate their skills against the best in the world, while also giving local fans a chance to see some of the sport's top talents.
Although Nigeria and Cameroon edged out South Africa for the two continental berths for the World Cup, South Africa's Brazilian coach, Marcelo Mendes, was optimistic that, with more events such as the pro tour, the South African "Banana Banana" team could become world-class.
"African players naturally have very good technique, and through beach soccer they can improve much more," said Mendes, who has been running development clinics.
Besides preparing for the competition and putting together the music, fashion and entertainment that accompanies beach soccer, Golding said his company was also drawing up documents to bid for the 2009 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup.
"We have submitted a letter of intent to Fifa Beach Soccer to bid for the 2009 event. The process is very involved and final submissions must go through the structures of the countries' football associations. We are working with the city to prepare a compelling bid that we hope will beat all the competitive bids of all the other countries," Golding said.