Sixteen teams will participate in the forthcoming MJN Foundation Soccer Challenge. The tournament will take place on 24, 25 and 27 December and the final will be played on 30 December at the Ravele Grounds.
The managing director of one of the sponsors, Mr Kaizer Marindi of Marindi Funeral Scheme, said sport had the power to create a good climate between business and people. "No wonder companies that sponsor football are going from strength to strength," he added. Marindi said that his company was ploughing back what it gained from the community.
Mr Thendo Mavhandu, the secretary of the MJN Foundation, stated that that for future stars' talent to be identified at grassroots level was important. He applauded the sponsors for helping to identify the talent of the region's youth and added that the youth of the region should be proud of their talent.
The winner of the competition will receive R15 000, a floating trophy, a new soccer kit and gold medals, while the runners-up will receive R10 000, a soccer kit and silver medals. The team ending in third position will bank R5 000 and the team taking position number four will get R4 000.
The fixtures for 24 December at the Manavhela grounds are: Madombidzha Try Again vs Muraleni United at 10:00. Madrid FC vs Muduluni Raising Stars at 12:00, Legendary FC vs Zoutpansberg Powerline at 14:00 and Manavhela Black Aces vs Muduluni Young Chiefs at 16:00.
On 25 December, at the Ravele Black Dragons grounds, the fixtures are: Ramantsha FC vs Baroka FC at 10:00, Zamenkomste FC vs Tshikhwani Stone Breakers at 12:00, Pat All Stars vs Ablex United at 14:00 and Mubval All Stars vs Burundi All Stars at 16:00.
The winners will play their second-round matches on 27 December.