Welcome cash prizes await the winning teams in the Samora Mudogwa Cup Tournament. The tournament was officially launched during a ceremony at the 2Ten Hotel in Sibasa on Sunday.
Four teams from Muraga and surrounding villages will battle it out for the biggest prize. Teams that are gearing up for the one-day event are: Muraga Hazard Hotspurs, Sterkstroom Real Chiefs, Banyini Flying Swallows and Sidou Peace Makers.
The champions will take home R5 000, a soccer kit, a floating trophy, soccer balls and gold medals. The runners-up will receive R2 000, a soccer kit, silver medals and soccer balls. Teams booted out of the tournament in the semifinal stage will each receive a consolation prize of R500 and a few soccer balls.
The best player of the tournament will be presented with a trophy and R200 cash, while the best goalkeeper, top goal scorer and best supporter in the tournament will each receive R200. The club bringing the biggest number of supporters to the tournament will receive R300. A lucky supporter will take home R200 while the first 50 supporters to arrive at the grounds on the day of the tournament will each receive a T-shirt.
During the launching ceremony, local ward councillor in the Thulamela Municipality Cllr David Mamushiana stated that the municipality would give the tournament organizers support when requested to do so. He appealed to the players to behave well throughout the tournament, saying any form of misconduct on and off the field would bring the sponsors into disrepute.
An actor in the SABC 2 soapie, Muvhango, Mr Mcdonald Ndou (KK), attended the event and said that sport brought people together, irrespective of their cultural and religious backgrounds. A traditional leader, Vhamusanda Vho-Ntikedzeni-vho Mphaphuli, praised the sponsors. He appealed to the winning teams to use the prize money to buy sports equipment.
Harnes Fields and Mudogwa Foundation are the sponsors for the tournament. The tournament will be staged at the Muraga grounds tomorrow (Saturday).