The Free State Premier, Mxolisi Dukwana, launched a lucrative football tournament in the province on Wednesday, 20 March, in Bloemfontein, offering the biggest prize money.
It is known as the Premier’s Cup and will see 16 teams sharing a whooping R1.6 million.
The knockout competition is exclusive for clubs currently campaigning in the Free State’s ABC Motsepe League, a second-tier division. It is staged in partnership with the South African Football Association (Safa).
The seeded 16 clubs are guaranteed R100 000 each which is the participation fee with the three finishing on the podium set to take home R200 000, R100 000 and R75 000, respectively. The prize money is in addition to participation fee.
The team finishing in fourth place will get a consolation prize of R25 000. In addition are individuals’ prizes: top goal-scorer, team of the tournament, coach of the tournament, player of the tournament, referee of the tournament and most promising player of the tournament.
Dukwana says sport remains the untapped part of the economy due to lacking support and a powerful vehicle for social cohesion. “Government is the enabler of conducive environment, and this tournament is the first indicator towards improving sport becoming a key driver of the socio-economy. Sport is about doing what you’re passionate about and the passion must be a symbol and inspiration to others. Globally, big money earners are in sport, they trade with their talent to enable them to provide for themselves and their families. This tournament is a first step to change sport in general in this province into an industry,” says Dukwana.
The participating teams will begin the gruelling battle to be crowned inaugural on Friday, 22 March, with matches in three towns, Bloemfontein, Paul Roux and Welkom.
