The Thulamela Local Football Association will continue to enjoy sponsorship from MTG and PIB for next soccer season. This was revealed by the general manager of the two companies, Mr Shudufhadza Magwabeni, during the league's prize-giving ceremony at the 2 Ten Hotel Hall at Sibasa on Sunday.
Magwabeni indicated that they were happy with the manner in which the association was administering their finances. The ceremony was a success, despite the fact that some clubs' representatives walked out of the hall during the proceedings. The disgruntled parties felt that the association should have kept the prize-giving ceremony on hold until all pending disciplinary cases had been finalized.
The champions from the seven streams were each presented with R7 000. The prizes for stream B and G were not dished out during the ceremony. This, according to the treasurer of the association, Mr Marcus Mukumela, was due to the fact that the clubs from the two streams were affected by the pending disciplinary cases.
The champions from the seven streams who received their prizes during the ceremony were: Begwa FC (A), Langutani Blue Birds (C), Duthuni Happy Boys (D), Manamani Black Snake (E), Tshiawelo Bosveld (F), Shadani Dangerous Scorpions (H) and Mutale Vikings (I).
The prizes for the MTG and PIB Soccer Challenge were also presented during the ceremony. The champions, Arsenal FC, took home R20 000, gold medals, a soccer kit and a soccer ball. The runners-up, Munangwe United Brothers, were given cash of R15 000, silver medals, soccer kit and a soccer ball. Khubvi Peace Makers, who obtained the third spot in the competition, were presented with R7 500, bronze medals, soccer kit and a soccer ball while the fourth-placed side, Mukula Mighty Killers, received R5 000, soccer kit and a soccer ball.
Teams that were booted out of the competition in the quarterfinal stage, Beuster Mighty Chiefs, Maraxwe Happy Boys, Tshaulu Powerlines and Tswinga Peace Makers, were each presented with a soccer kit and soccer ball.
The player of the tournament award was presented to Mashudu Netshitavhe from Arsenal FC. The goalkeeper of the tournament award went to Zwivhuya Mmbengwa of Khubvi Peace Makers. The recipient for the goal of the tournament award was Mahloli Chauke of Munangwe United Brothers, while Madambi Bandzi of Khubvi Peace Makers received the top goal scorer award.