This year's Masawe Soccer Tournament is set to be the largest yet, both in terms of sponsorship and the number of participating teams. The annual event was officially launched during a ceremony at the Masawe Car Wash in Matatshe, outside Thohoyandou, last Sunday morning.
Nineteen teams from the Safa Vhembe Regional League and 16 from the Thulamela Local Football Association (Thulfa) will compete in this year's tournament.
Speaking on behalf of the sponsor, Mr Cedrick Ramaliba announced during the launch that the champions among the Safa Vhembe teams will receive R25,000, a soccer kit, a floating trophy, and silver medals. The runners-up will be awarded R12,500, a soccer kit, and silver medals. Teams eliminated in the semi-finals will each take home R4,500 and a soccer kit, while those knocked out in the quarter-finals will receive R1,500 each. All participating teams will also be given a soccer ball.
For teams competing in the Thulfa leagues, the champions will walk away with R5,000, a floating trophy, gold medals, and a soccer kit. The runners-up will receive R3,000, a soccer kit, and silver medals. Teams finishing third and fourth will each get R1,500 and a soccer kit, while quarter-finalists will receive R500 apiece.
Individual awards include R1,500 each for the top goal scorer, best goalkeeper, best coach, and best referee. The best player of the tournament will be awarded R2,500.
The deputy president of Safa Vhembe, Mr Ephraim Singo, remarked that there was political stability within the association, following the recent successful elective congress by the Thulamela Local Football Association.