On Monday, 5th July 2010 the Guinness Book of World Records officially awarded South Africa the title of having built the World's largest soccer ball. The Guinness World Records officials confirmed the 15-metre high ball is the king of them all. It was an initiative by Kia Motors (official sponsor of the 2010 FIFA South Africa World Cup) and Emperors Palace Hotel, Casino & Resort in the East Rand of Johannesburg.

Director of Television Guinness World Records and adjudicator Mr. Robert Moloi said the structure had to meet certain criteria. These included, among others, it being inflatable and deflatable. It also had to be an exact replica of an official FIFA match ball, and fits the criteria laid down by soccer's governing body. The ball, which sits on water, is 1500 times heavier than the Jabulani ball and takes a few hours to be inflated.

Emperors Palace presently has four award winning HTMi students working in its five-star hotel operations for the duration of the World Cup. HTMi's Training & Events Manager, Mr. Anthony Lack, together with the HTMi students for the announcement ( pictured ). The event was attended by members of the local and world press, together with the senior management of KIA Motors Southern Africa and Peermont Hotels South Africa.

Ian Larmour, Director HTMi, July 2010