December 20, 2006
By Lucky Sindane
WITH R20 000 at stake for the winners, for two weeks soccer lovers will be treated to some entertaining football when 40 soccer teams go head-to-head at the ninth annual KwaMahlobo Festive Games.
The games will take place at the dusty and dry KwaMahlobo Soccer Field in Zone 10, Meadowlands, Soweto from 23 December to 7 January 2007.
For the first time in the history of the games, it has sponsors - the Gauteng department of sport, recreation, arts and culture, Cell C, Forward Zone Sports Agency, De Beers and Zombolo Bottle Store have come to the party.
Dlongolo Ntenjwa, the public relations officer for the tournament, said they were very thankful to have sponsors this year as it would help them run things smoothly.
"To erect a stage and renting it everyday has always cost us a fortune. Thanks to the sponsors we need not worry about such things anymore. Companies like Cell C will be there to promote their products and there will be lots of prizes to be won," Ntenjwa said.
There were concerns that now it had sponsors, the games might be taken away from the people and its name would change, as happened to the Godfrey Moloi Goodwill Games, another festive season soccer tournament in Soweto. That tournament is now known as the Mzansi Games.
Commenting on the issue Ntenjwa said: "The games are not going to be taken away from the people. We’ve been playing on the dry and dusty field and it will always remain that way - and no names will be changed."
The tournament is popular for producing a number of professionals, including Arthur Zwane and Scara Ngobese of Kaizer Chiefs, Benedict Vilakazi of Orlando Pirates and Goodman Mazibuko of Moroka Swallows.
"Orlando Pirates striker Excellent Walaza and SuperSport United Player Piko Modise were produced in the tournament," Ntenjwa said.
Registration for teams closes on Tuesday, 19 December and the draw will be conducted on Thursday, 21 December at Motswale’s Pub, Zone 10, Meadowlands. Registration is R850 per team.
The winners will take home a cheque of R20 000, a trophy, 22 gold medals and a soccer kit. The runners up will take home R8 000, a trophy, 22 silver medals and a soccer kit.
Third and fourth placed teams will each pocket R1 500, 22 bronze medals and a soccer kit. The top goal scorer and the player of the series will each pocket R500 and a trophy, respectively.
For more information contact Dlongolo Ntenjwa on 083 595 3924.
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