Film by Indian-origin on Mandela to publicise FIFA 2010

South Africa, the host of FIFA World Cup 2010, will screen Indian-origin producer Anant Singh's film on Nelson Mandela playing football with other political prisoners on Robben Island to keep their spirits high in their fight against apartheid in the run-up to the mega event.

The film 'More Than Just a Game', documents the Robben Island prisoners' Makana Football Club, which was started in the 1960s after Mandela and other top leaders were sentenced to life imprisonment there.

"More Than Just a Game will be broadcast by the BBC in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup next year," Singh, who is now producing a film on the life of Nelson Mandela, said on Tuesday.

"The film is a tribute to the people on Robben Island who fought for the privilege of playing football. It demonstrates our continent's love for the game, validating the FIFA World Cup finally coming to Africa," Singh said.

Based on the book More Than Just a Game: Soccer vs Apartheid by Professor Chuck Korr, the film, produced in 2007, was also played at the House of Lords in Britain recently.

"It was truly an amazing experience to have the film screened at the House of Lords and I am delighted that the audience was moved and impressed by the film. I was especially pleased that a number of those who attended the screening were involved in the anti-apartheid movement and in football and made a special effort to be there," Singh said.