The third annual Joe Phungo Foundation soccer tournament was launched in Tshiozwi village on Sunday, 7 December.
The tournament is set to kick off on Sunday, 14 December, with the final matches scheduled for 16 December. All games will be played at the Tshiozwi soccer grounds.
The eight teams participating in the tournament are Ramantsha Young Blackpool, Gogobole Bucs, Gogobole Home Defenders, Gogobole Madrid, Tshiozwi Dynamos, Hollywood Mabaleng, Tshiozwi Mates, and Madombidzha Angry.
The tournament also caters for four ladies' teams: Hollywood Mabaleng, Ramantsha Blackpool, Zoutpansberg Powerline, and Madombidzha Angry Lion.
The tournament spokesperson, Mr Mpfariseni Musekwa, said the initial plan had been to accommodate 32 teams, but only eight had registered by the closing date. "We are encouraging more teams to register for this tournament next year. It not only offers great entertainment to the communities but also keeps young boys off the streets over the festive season," he said.
The champions of the tournament will go home with a trophy, R10,000 in cash, gold medals, and a soccer kit. The runners-up will receive R7,000, silver medals, and a soccer kit, while the team finishing third will receive R5,000, bronze medals, and a soccer kit. There is also prize money for teams eliminated along the way.
The ladies' champions will take home R5,000, a soccer kit, a floating trophy, and gold medals. The runners-up will receive R3,000, a soccer kit, silver medals, and a soccer ball.