The FIFA Interactive World Cup makes dreams come true! At just 16 years of age, joystick in hand, Shimane Morekure guided his Manchester United team to a 3-1 virtual final victory over Inter Milan on Saturday 23 October 2004 after a hard-fought semi-final which was decided on penalties. The highly knowledgeable crowd reveled in the action on the big screen and a bevy of female fans hailed the victor. Shimane, who never expected to win the kick-off event of the FIFA Interactive World Cup in Johannesburg, becomes the first player to qualify for the grand final in Zurich on 19 December 2004.

"When I first heard about the competition, I just wanted to have some fun with my friends.  I simply cannot comprehend that I will be representing the African continent in the final in Zurich. It is an incredible experience. I am so happy that FIFA have created this event," enthused an ecstatic Shimane. The South African was delighted to receive his gift training package - the FIFA Football 2005 game as well as an Xbox - from none other than South Africa's hottest prospect Benson Mhlongo, himself a passionate computer game player.

Interactive football fever erupts
The 24-year-old defender and South Africa's youngest ever captain sees many similarities between the real and virtual footballing worlds. "We have a lot in common. A passion for the game, great patience and a competitive spirit. It is fantastic that FIFA have created such an international platform," Benson explained, adding: "Many children fall in love with the game on the computer, which introduces them to the actual sport. And many more will never make it as a professional footballer - the FIFA Interactive World Cup makes it possible for them to experience this unique feeling."

Former South Africa star Linda Buthelezi has also been struck with interactive football fever. "It is a great opportunity to promote football here in South Africa with a view to 2010. Such FIFA events are very important for our country. Besides that, it is simply fascinating. The interactive players are of the highest calibre and the tension could not be greater on a real football pitch."

The opportunity to be mentioned in the same breath as current FIFA World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane at the FIFA World Player Gala is something Johannesburg winner Shimane does not want to allow to slip through his fingers. "I have a great responsibility but also an ingenious strategy which completely came off today. And between now and 19 December, I will be training hard on my Xbox to perfect my tactics."

More than 10,000 players registered
However, the competition is fierce, with more than 10,000 players from around the world already registered for the seven remaining regional tournaments, which will decide the other seven competitors in the final. Those interested can find all of the relevant information at the click of a mouse at www.FIFAinteractiveworldcup.com . Each tournament will feature 64 screens showing simultaneous games of EA Sports FIFA Football 2005 played on the Xbox. The rules of the normal game will apply. However, although the game itself ensures that the international laws of football are observed, referees on each of the consoles will be on hand to ensure FIFA Fair Play prevails. Like any football competition, the tournament mode uses a knockout format. Only the number of games is greater.

Seven further locations
After Johannesburg, the FIFA Interactive World Cup comes to New York/USA (30.10.) before moving on to Rio de Janeiro/Brazil (6.11.), Sydney/Australia (13.11.), London/England (20.11.), Seoul/South Korea (28.11.), Paris/France (4.12.) and Berlin/Germany (11.12.). The final will be held on 19 December in Zurich at the FIFA headquarters, where the top eight players will contest the title of interactive FIFA footballer 2004. The interactive champion will then be crowned on stage the following day at the FIFA World Player Gala, where Real Madrid maestro Zinedine Zidane will be hoping to defend his crown.

"For the love of the game" has always been more than a mere slogan for FIFA. The active promotion and development of football, as spelt out in the statutes, has always been of paramount importance. The launch of this new FIFA competition marks a further milestone in the 100-year history of the world's governing body. Indeed, FIFA is the first international sporting federation to venture into the interactive world, thus bridging the gap between sport - with all of the passion it generates - and the world of interactive entertainment. "We are proud that virtual football is now on a level with the game played on the pitch and look forward to celebrating a new category of footballer at this year's FIFA World Player Gala," said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, in anticipation of the interactive event of the year.