Although the teams affiliated with the Thulamela Local Football Association (Thulfa) have already been contesting in the Mpho Mathoho Electrical KO Competition over the past few weeks, the competition was only officially launched during a ceremony held at the 2 Ten Hotel in Sibasa last Wednesday.
During the ceremony, the managing director of Mpho Mathoho Electrical company, Mr Mpho Mathoho, handed over a cheque to the value of R80 000 to the treasurer of the association, Mr Cedrick Ramaliba. Mathoho said that his decision to sponsor the league was influenced by the fact that he knew the challenges the officials of the clubs faced in running the teams. "As a former football player and referee, I know how difficult it is to run a soccer team without a sponsor," he said.
He said that the sponsorship would run for the next five years, with the sponsorship amount increasing annually. His company is looking at the possibility of becoming the league's main sponsor in the near future.
The chairman of the league, Mr Ephraim Singo, said that 108 teams were taking part in the competition. The champions will walk away with a cash prize of R15 000, a floating trophy, gold medals and a soccer kit. The runners-up will receive R10 000, silver medals and a soccer kit. The team that will finish in the third place will take home R7 000 and bronze medals, while R5 000 and a soccer kit are awaiting the team that will finish in the fourth spot. Teams booted out of the competition in the quarterfinal stage will each receive a consolation prize of R1 000 and a soccer ball.
Singo said that teams recently promoted to the SAB League would not take part in this prestigious competition. The final will be staged on Thursday, 16 December, at a venue still to be announced.