The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will be the biggest cultural and sporting festival South Africa will ever experience according to Japanese football legend, Hidetoshi Nakata, who is in South Africa as part of the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola.

Speaking at the unveiling of the FIFA World Cup Trophy in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town last night, Nakata said that, based on his experience of playing in a home World Cup in Japan/Korea in 2002, those who attended the tournament next year could expect something that is about “more than just football”.

He described the atmosphere playing in front of home crowds in Japan as “unbelievable” something that could go a long way in helping hosts South Africa perform better on the pitch in 2010.

The World Cup in 2002 was the biggest festival I have ever seen in my life. It was not just about football it was about different people trying to engage culturally. I have never seen anything like it. The energy of the people, all the people, was amazing,” the former midfield great said.

Nakata, who was recently appointed as a friendship ambassador of the Coca-Cola Trophy Tour said he was looking forward to returning to the country next year to witness the World Cup. “I just want to watch some good matches and enjoy a good atmosphere. I am sure there will be good matches and good organisation next year.”

Since retiring from football Nakata has joined the Japanese Tourism Department in an advisory capacity and he has also been involved in charity work.

Speaking about strengthening ties between Japan and South Africa Nakata said: “Well that is why we are here. It will be a good opportunity. Tourism is both inbound and outbound. Both sides should understand each other.

In November this year Nakata donated 240 footballs to underprivileged South African kids and has also committed to donating a further 100,000 dollars for 30,000 more footballs in the future.

Nakata began his professional career in 1995 and won the Asian Football Confederation Player of the Year award in 1997 and 1998 as well as the Scudetto with A.S. Roma in 2001. He played for Japan in three FIFA World Cup tournaments (1998, 2002 and 2006) and played in the Olympics twice (1996 and 2000).