After a successful soccer season, Madridtas FC, an affiliate of SAFA Vhembe, deemed it fit to celebrate their achievements by hosting an awards ceremony at Matondoni Park in Tshifudi last Saturday night (29 July).
Several players and officials of the team received cash, certificates, and trophies for their achievements during the event. Madridtas finished their league programme at the top of Stream G in the SAB League's last season but failed to make the grade in the promotional play-offs.
Traditional leader Vhamusanda Vho-Mbulaheni Ramabulana praised the management of Madridtas for their dedication, saying that running an amateur team had more challenges than running a professional team. He appealed to the young players to stay away from drugs and alcohol and emphasised that they must work hard in the classroom and on the sports field. "Sport is an important vehicle for harmonious interaction between people," he said. Ramabulana pledged their support for Madridtas FC, saying that the team was making the whole Tshifudi village proud.
The chairman of the club, Mr Ndivhuwo Nthai, said the main purpose of the function was to motivate the players. He applauded those who received awards, saying that the team regarded them as role models for other younger people. "You are the ambassadors of our team. I am proud of the quality of sports development in Vhembe as a whole," he said.
Lutendo Masindi (young player of the season) went home with R1,000, a trophy, and a certificate, while Ndamulelo Phasane (most disciplined player) collected R5,000, a trophy, and a certificate. Mukona Muthelo (most improved player), Gundani Likhade (most dedicated player), Lutendo Musinda (goal of the season), and Thanzielo Mutele (player of the season) all received R1,000, trophies, and certificates. All the other team players and officials went home with certificates and R500 each.