The government has set aside Sh7 billion to market the country's 60,000-seater National Stadium and other tourist attractions ahead of the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa.

The money would be spent to advertise and welcome teams that seek training venues before heading off to South Africa.

Minister for infrastructure and Development Shukuru Kawamba, who is also the chairman of the Fifa World Cup Presidential Committee, confirmed to reporters yesterday.

He said the Government in collaboration with other stakeholders was determined to market all Tanzania's resources.

"The World Cup finals are six months away and we want some of the teams to come and train at our modern stadium, we hope the Government will earn enormous revenues from them besides advertising other resources," he said.

According to Kawambwa, the Government would improve various infrastructures, calling for hotel owners to prepare favourable environments for tourists.

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) president, Leodegar Tenga echoed Kawambwa's comments, adding that the resources would be marketed through in-flight magazines.

He said they would also advertise the stadium and other resources with Super Sports and Thebe Management Group of South Africa, and CineVideo of Brazil.

"We believe that through this programme, Tanzania will receive the tourists and investors from different countries," he said.

The TFF president said the coming of high profile team Ivory Coast would also help promote the stadium.

"Having hosted Ivory Coast, the whole world would know that Tanzania has good training facilities, through which we can earn plenty of cash,"he said.

Tenga said apart from inviting Ivory Coast, they have also sent invitations to several top class teams.

The teams, which have shown interest to come include; Paraguay, Brazil, Nigeria, German, Denmark, Italy and Netherlands.