Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has announced a new “Lucky Fan Programme” that will send 16 South African football supporters to the FIFA World Cup.

The programme is aimed at fans from Premier Soccer League clubs. One supporter from each club will be selected for the trip.

McKenzie said the winners will receive an all-expenses-paid experience. This includes travel, match tickets, accommodation and a spending allowance.

Private Sponsors to Fund the Trip

McKenzie stressed that the trip will not be funded by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

He said private donors will cover the costs. According to the minister, two major companies are behind the sponsorship, although their names have not yet been announced.

The department will assist with visa arrangements for the selected fans.

How Fans can Enter

Football supporters who want to enter will need to send in a 30-second video.

In the clip, they must explain why they are their club’s biggest supporter.

A judging panel will then select the winners. Sports broadcasters Robert Marawa and Andile Ncube are among those expected to be part of the panel.

The department is expected to release full competition details at a later stage.

Bafana Bafana Opening Match in Focus

The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from 11 June to 19 July across Mexico, Canada and the United States.

The selected fans are expected to watch the opening match between South Africa and Mexico in Mexico.

The announcement comes after McKenzie declined to fund a World Cup trip for well-known football supporter Mama Joy.

She has since secured her own trip through a sponsorship deal with sportswear label abOVEnormal, after recently becoming an ambassador for the brand.