MAM
Transnet to sponsor South African 2010 soccer World Cup bid
CAPE TOWN: After hosting a successful cricket World Cup earlier this year in March, South Africa is now trying to host the Football World Cup in 2010.
Its goal is gaining support from South African companies. Africa’s largest transport and logistics company Transnet has announced that it will sponsor the South Africa Football Association’s (SAFA) bid for the 2010 Soccer World Cup to the tune of R12m cash and some R4m in services. Besides Transnet, the other South African companies which are also official bid supporters include Anglo American, Vodacom, BMW and Telkom.
The event has never taken place in South Africa in the past. Like the Cricket World Cup, the country is looking at the Football World Cup as being important in both business and cultural terms. Transnet CEO Mafika Mkwanazi added that Transnet’s business units and subsidiaries would play a significant role in supporting the bid process by providing strategic transport and logistics services to supplement the cash sponsorship of R12m.
He was quoted in an official release saying, “Transnet’s sponsorship for the 2010 World Cup bid complements the extensive sport development programmes funded by the Transnet Foundation. These focus on rural development, providing infrastructure and facilities and sponsoring a series of events to advance the development of role models for the youth of our country.”
Brands
Pocket FM elevates Lalit Gangwar to COO to drive global growth
Founding member to lead operations, monetisation and expansion across markets
MUMBAI: Pocket FM has elevated Lalit Gangwar to chief operating officer, tasking the founding team member with leading global business operations as the company sharpens its international growth strategy.
In his new role, Gangwar will oversee end-to-end operations across markets, including growth, monetisation and execution for the company’s audio business. The appointment comes as Pocket FM looks to strengthen its operating foundation and build a more predictable, scalable global business.
Gangwar has been closely involved in shaping the company’s trajectory from its early days. He played a key role in building the growth and marketing playbook in India, helping the platform scale to over 150 million users within its first year and establish a strong foothold in the audio storytelling category.
He later led Pocket FM’s expansion into the United States, where he set up teams, defined market strategy and drove scale, contributing significantly to the company’s international ambitions.
Pocket FM co-founder and CEO Rohan Nayak said, “Lalit has been central to Pocket FM’s journey from the very beginning. He has built our growth engine and scaled our business across markets.” He added that the company’s focus on nurturing internal talent makes Gangwar a natural choice to lead the next phase.
Gangwar said, “Pocket FM has always been driven by a simple belief that powerful stories can travel across borders and create meaningful impact.” He noted that the company will continue to focus on scaling markets, investing in AI-led storytelling and strengthening monetisation.
As COO, Gangwar is expected to bring greater operating discipline while building systems, talent and processes to support long-term growth.
With leadership continuity and a clear global focus, Pocket FM appears to be turning the page to its next chapter, one that aims to take its storytelling playbook well beyond home turf.
