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FORMER Manchester United and England soccer star Lee Sharpe will join hands with Ambassadors in Sport on its community projects across the Peninsula from Monday, 25 September until Thursday, 28 September.

Sharpe's visit will be facilitated by the USA-based Global Events Group and is aimed at helping AIS-South Africa play an active role in the build up to the 2010 World Cup.

André Palmer, the CEO of AIS, yesterday disclosed Sharpe's itineracy, which will include visits to Cape Town, Gauteng and Mphumalanga.

Palmer said that since retiring from soccer, Sharpe has developed a career in the media and that he has desired to be involved in community projects through soccer, particularly in assisting the disadvantaged.

Sharpe will be accompanied by Greg Thompson, an ex-Manchester City player, as well as their business partners, who are keen to invest in the development of soccer in SA.

The group will team up with Palmer and former top sportsman André Alexander, who heads up the local AIS office in Athlone.

In July, Palmer attended seminars at the 2006 World Cup in Germany to gain first-hand experience on how church organisations such as AIS and community groups can play significant roles in the staging of major events like the World Cup.

Palmer said that Sam Pam, an ex-Nigerian international who had spells with Ajax-Cape Town and Orlando Pirates, will serve on the coaching panel.

A touring New Zealand women's soccer side will also be part of the project.

Sharpe's itinerary starts off on Monday, September 29, when he will be a guest at the 2006 Soccer World Cup for Homeless People at the Grand Parade in Cape Town (09:00) and a coaching session at the Ark Centre in Blue Downs (14:00).

He will also hold coaching clinics at the AIS soccer club's training venue at the City Park sports field in Athlone on Tuesday, 26 September (10:00) and Wednesday, 27 September (09:00).

The tour group will attend the launch of the Pollsmoor Soccer Academy that AIS has initiated in Westlake on Thursday, September 28, before heading to Johannesburg. Phone Palmer on 084 222 3400 for further information.

? Lee Sharpe will be the keynote speaker at the Ambassadors in Sport gala dinner at Newlands Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, 27 September, starting at 19:00.

Admission is R200 and ticket reservations may be confirmed with Karen on 083 460 3728.

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