68,000 fans seek volunteer jobs at SAfrica´s World Cup

Nearly 68,000 people have applied to become volunteers for the 2010 football World Cup in South Africa, more than four times the number needed, organisers said Tuesday.

“The programme has certainly proved to be hugely popular, and we are honoured by the incredible response we have received from around the world,” Danny Jordaan, head of the local organising committee, said in a statement.

A total of 67,999 fans applied for volunteer jobs, topping the 48,167 applications received for the last World Cup in Germany, the statement said.

Fans from 170 countries applied, mostly from South Africa, but with Nigeria, the United States, Brazil and Zimbabwe posting the largest number of hopefuls.

Fans applied to assist in areas such as administrative support, hospitality and ushering services, information technology and telecommunications.

The applications will now be interviewed to decide on who receives the 15,000 spots.