The MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mrs Weziwe Thusi, has today announced the launch of the first major pre-season tournament in KwaZulu-Natal, to be known as the Premier’s Cup.
The tournament has been conceptualised by the Department of Sport and Recreation, in order to galvanise and enhance support for the province’s professional teams which are AmaZulu FC, Lamontville Golden Arrows, Maritzburg United and top first division side, Thanda Royal Zulu.
The Inaugural Premier’s Cup will be held on Sunday, 31 July 2011, at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban. The first semi final will kickoff at 09h00, followed by the second game at 12h00 and then the finals at 16h00.
The tournament will serve as a perfect platform for the province’s teams to showcase their new recruits to the supporters before the start of the new season. The Premier’s Cup will be an annual event which we also hope to use to strengthen relations with our professional teams.
The participating teams will each receive an appearance fee of R300 000 (Three Hundred Thousand Rands), and the winning team will be presented with the floating Premier’s Cup Trophy.
The Department of Sport and Recreation is tasked with discovering and developing new talent but we rely on the professional teams to take that talent to the next level.
“There is no doubt that the people of KwaZulu-Natal, especially in eThekwini and the surrounding areas, will support the tournament in their numbers because they have experienced football drought during recess,” remarked the MEC, Mrs Weziwe Thusi.
As this is a government initiative, entrance to the games will be free. However, only those with tickets will be allowed. Tickets will be distributed for free by the clubs and through the media as a measure to control the numbers.
Between the games, and after the tournament, spectators will be able to celebrate with some of the province’s best entertainers, featuring top musicians and DJ’s.
Enquiries:
Mr JomoBiyela
Cell: 0824543553
Mr Bheki Ncube
Cell: 082 575 4164
Email: bheki.ncube@kzndsr.gov.za
