By Ally Jamah

Football fans in Kenya may have a rare chance to watch the world’s top footballers train for the 2010 World Cup right here in Nairobi.

The Government has intensified a marketing drive to lure teams that have qualified for the World Cup to prepare for the June 2010 tournament on Kenyan soil.

Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Hellen Sambili on Monday hosted a breakfast meeting for envoys from 16 countries that have qualified for the biggest football tournament to woo them to bring their teams here.

"We have a lot to offer your national teams and if they train here they will definitely boost their performance and add value to their preparation," she told the envoys.

To sweeten the deal, Government is offering the country’s training facilities for free, while promising to negotiate for discounted rates in five-star hotels, game drives and other amenities.

On Monday, Sambili showcased Kenya’s football stadia, hotels, and recreation joints to the Ambassadors and High Commissioners of football giants Brazil, Britain, South Korea, Ghana, France and Netherlands at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi.

Also represented were Argentina, Slovakia, Serbia, Chile, Denmark, Russia, Mexico and Switzerland.

"The World Cup is not just a South African event but also an African one. We need to benefit from it too since it is the first time it is coming to our continent," she said.

The Minister highlighted the country’s international sporting and communication facilities, as well as the numerous wildlife and entertainment spots which the players can enjoy during their breaks.

She promised to provide maximum security to the players all the time they will be in the country.

Some of the envoys appeared impressed by the cleverly-crafted presentations but others remained non-committal.

"I am quite interested in the high altitude areas of the country because if Ghanain players train there their endurance and performance will definitely be boosted significantly," said Ghanaian High Commissioner Yaw Konadu Yiadom.

Sambili said that they would soon contact coaches of all the national teams participating in the World Cup to convince them why Kenya offered irresistible value for their teams.

If any of the teams accept the offer, it would whip up excitement among Kenyan football fans, many of who would stream to the training venues to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars.

The marketing drive is spearheaded by the 2010 World Cup Steering Committee unveiled in September this year to ensure Kenya benefits from the lucrative tournament.

"We cannot stay aloof and spectate when the extravaganza is in our neighborhood, therefore for this reason, we must join the rest of the world in the fiesta in any we can," she said then.