The new, R60-million home of the South African Football Association is "the first 2010 project to be unveiled – and it will leave a lasting legacy beyond the world cup".

THE South African Football Association (Safa) is the proud owner of its new state-of-the-art headquarters on the eastern side of Soccer City.

Costing R60-million, the new facilities were officially handed over to the association by the construction company, Phumelela Africa, on Wednesday, 31 January.

The building, with its distinctive football-shaped dome, will be the headquarters of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) during the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

It has 100 offices, a canteen, a bar and three breakaway meeting rooms that can be converted into one huge hall, depending on the size of the gathering.

Bafana Bafana's coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and Safa's vice president, Mwelo Nonkonyanna, outside the newly opened Safa House

Danny Jordaan, the LOC chief executive officer, said Safa's new home would leave a lasting legacy beyond the impending world cup. "This is the first 2010 project that we unveil today; football has delivered what it has promised.

"This is a clear indication that the 2010 World Cup will be a successful one irrespective of what people say," Jordaan said.

The complex will be the headquarters of Safa and the Premier Soccer League; will also host the Safa Academy, an elite training facility to groom referees, coaches and administrators.

"This facility is ranked among the best in world - if not the best in the world. This is truly a world-class facility," Jordaan added.