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Port Elizabeth – After two heart bypasses and an adulthood when he was deemed a second class citizen, 79-year-old Amrit Daya never imagined he would be welcoming the world on behalf of his country.

The most senior of the World Cup's 18 000 official volunteer ambassadors will take up duty in host city Port Elizabeth, decades after South Africa's apartheid authorities forced his family out of a racially-mixed suburb that was classified for whites only.

"We couldn't go to restaurants. We couldn't go to the beach. When we tell our children these stories, they just can't believe that this has happened during our lifetime," Daya, who is ethnic Indian, told AFP.

"As an activist, I partook in the struggle, not realising that I would be alive to see democracy in my lifetime. It's such a great, wonderful feeling that South Africa is a free country."

Shares birthday with Madiba

Daya marks his 80th birthday on July 18, a week after the final match, on a birthdate shared with South Africa's first black leader Nelson Mandela. But he has no qualms about keeping up with the youngsters.

"I am 79. I don't feel my age. I'm young at heart," he said in his Port Elizabeth home shared with his wife, whom he celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary with earlier this year.

"In spite of me having two bypass operations, I still feel that I can serve the community. I've been so blessed with my health that sometimes people and my family are wondering how I'm coping. I'm active at every moment of my life."

World Cup organisers received nearly 70 000 applications from 170 countries, seeking to volunteer at the football showcase. The ones chosen will work as ushers in stadiums, guide visitors through airports, help with media accreditations and all manner of administrative trivia.

Daya realised his unique seniority at an early meeting where age groups were being called out.

Everyone clapped

"When I stood up, I was the only person there. Everyone clapped," he said.

The former clothing firm manager will be based at the airport in Port Elizabeth, which hosts eight matches, and says he was motivated to sign up by his love for football and sense of community spirit.

There are a few VIPs that he would like to see apart from Portugal skipper and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and injured England midfielder David Beckham.

"I would like to meet Prince William. If he does come, it would be very nice to meet him. And of course meet the king of FIFA, Mr Sepp Blatter," he said.

Wearing a modified "79" supporters shirt for South Africa's national team Bafana Bafana, he points to a pile of press clippings about himself.

Media hype

"This has been quite an exciting time with all the media hype and attraction that I feel I've been made a bit of a celebrity. Obviously it wasn't the idea. My idea was to serve the community," he said.

"But with all the media hype this has sort of boosted my image. I hope it doesn't boost my ego."

Despite initial scepticism about South Africa's ability to host the event, he is confident of a good tournament.

"I think it's one of the biggest achievements for South Africa after being under apartheid rule and having freedom within 16 years," he said.

"It's going to be one terrific experience in my lifetime. I do not know how long I've got to be on this planet so therefore anything I can do now, let me do it now, because I might not pass this way again."