South Africa, host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament, will also bid to host the 2011 Beach Soccer World Cup, South African media reported on Friday.

The country's eastern coastal city of Durban would be bidding for the annual event initiated by the international football governing body.

"Durban will be bidding to host the Beach Soccer World Cup in 2011," Mike Sutcliffe, city manager of Durban, was quoted as saying by the government news service BuaNews at a recent draw for the 2008 African beach soccer qualifying tournament.

The 2008 Beach Soccer World Cup will be held in Marseilles in France in July.

The draw, which was made in Spain's Barcelona but broadcast live to Durban, saw South Africa join Senegal, Mozambique and Egypt in Group A, while Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria, the defending champions, are in group B.

"We are also bidding to host the International Olympic Committee Congress in 2011, and if we get both it will elevate the city to new levels," Sutcliffe said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2008)