The Mathacs Civils Soccer Tournament was officially launched during a ceremony at Tshifudi on Sunday.
Sixteen teams from the Tshaulu area and the surrounding areas will take part in the tournament. It was announced that this year's champions will take home R6 000, a new soccer kit, a floating trophy, two soccer balls and gold medals. The runners-up will become R3 000 richer and will also receive a new kit, two soccer balls and silver medals. The two teams booted out in the semifinals will each take home R1 500 and two soccer balls. The teams that will obtain the fifth to eighth position will receive R1 000 and two soccer balls each. From the ninth to the sixteenth positions will receive two balls each.
The sponsor of the tournament, Mr Azwindindi Mathaulula of Mathacs Civils, has indicated that his company is ploughing back what it gained from the community. "It is through the support from the community that my business is where it is today," he added. Mathaulula said sport had the power to create a good working climate between business and people. "No wonder companies that sponsor football are going from strength to strength," he added.
The organiser, Mr Nthambeleni Ranwaha, stated that it was important that future stars' talent be identified at grassroots level. He applauded the sponsors for helping to identify the talent of the region's youth and added that the youth of this region should be proud of their talent.
Several matches will take place at the Tshifudi Munangwe Stadium this weekend. Tomorrow's fixtures are Tshidzini Happy Fighter's vs Madritas FC (09:00), Begwa United Brothers vs Tshifudi XI Experience (11:00), Munagwe United Brothers vs Tshaulu Powerline (13:00) and Tshikonelo Highlanders vs Matsika Shooting Stars (15:00).
Sunday's fixtures are: Mahagala FC vs Tshaulu Ghetto Boys (09:00), Mukula Young Santos vs Phandulaluvalo FC (11:00), Malavuwe Great Movers vs Buluni Happy Fighters (13:00) and Tshilonwe Young Bombers vs Gaba Union Fighters (15:00).