ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

On the eve of the World Cup, the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ’s international news services will launch a special global discussion show, World Cup Have Your Say, with a live broadcast from Orlando West in Soweto, Johannesburg, South AfricaΜύ

World Cup Have Your Say, presented by Ros Atkins, launches on Thursday 10 June and will broadcast twice daily throughout the World Cup.Μύ In the programme, the pundits step aside, to enable fans around the world talk a good game, from chants to cheats and from refereesΜύto vuvuzelas.ΜύΜύ

This launch show on 10 June aims to bring together fans from all 32 competing nations, along with a global audience and members of the local community in Soweto, in one conversation – on radio, TV, online and in person.ΜύΜύ

Ros will be talking to audiences about what the tournament means both to South Africa and to the wider continent.ΜύHe will speak to youth and grassroots sports organisations, with their own viewpoints on the merits and challenges that a global sporting event can bring to the local community.Μύ Local and international NGOs and special guests will also join the conversation.

The programme will also feature musical contributions from bands from Soweto and a group from Nigeria.Μύ

Ros Atkins comments:
β€œI hope that we can connect the world to Soweto and bring something of the atmosphere, vibrancy and football fervour to audiences around the world, and vice-versa.Μύ This launch show is an exciting challenge – we hope to bring together fans via any means that will help us get connected, from phone, Skype, email, to text blog, or Twitter, or simply in person, to create one unique international fan zone.Μύ This is our own rather experimental take on an opening ceremony - one led by the fans from different corners of the world and from our base in Soweto, to talk football and beyond.”

Fans can join in the debate from around the world via worldhaveyoursay.com, Twitter (@ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ_WHYS) and Facebook (World Have Your Say).Μύ Μύ

World Cup Have Your Say launches on Thursday 10 June, 19:00-21:00 GMT.Μύ

On ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service – World Cup Have Your Say is daily from Friday 11 June to Monday 12 July at 08:05 GMT and weekend editions at 17:30 GMT.Μύ There will be an additional daily weekday transmission at 18:30 GMT for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service English in Africa.

On ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World News – a special television edition of World Cup Have Your Say will broadcast weekly on Mondays, from 14 June, 15:30 GMT.