Sendedza Black Uhuru were officially declared the champion of champions of the Makhado Local Football Association (MALFA), during the prize-giving ceremony held at Bergwater Hotel last Saturday.

The association was established in 2006 by the South African Football Association (SAFA) and comprises 88 teams participating in four streams.

The chairperson of the association, Mr MW Managa, said that even though their first prize-giving ceremony indicates that they had reached their destination, things were not easy, since they only managed to secure two sponsors who agreed to assist the teams financially in the streams of the Nzhelele valley. The two sponsors, according to Managa, are Nzhelele Funeral Undertakers and Magwaba Bus Service.

Managa described the resistance of the teams around the Mulima and Tshitale areas to some of the challenges that were faced by the association in the past soccer season. "While we are committed to carry out the mandate of the South African Football Association of ensuring that the game of football is fully developed into all the corners of the Makhado Municipality Area, in the coming season, we will go out to get sponsorships and grants from council in order to run the league smoothly as well as make the teams happy at their second prize giving ceremony."

"We will also visit the Mulima and Tshitale areas to appeal to teams to affiliate with our association. I also want to send a stern warning to all teams that will fail to adhere to the fair play rule; harsh punishment will be imposed on them," he said.

Managa, who promised that the prizes will improve in future seasons, urged teams to honour their league games. He also requested his administrators not to change fixtures at short notice and to ensure that such fixtures are getting to teams in time.

According to Managa, about 52 000 people had flocked to various sports grounds to watch the matches of the teams under his association during the past season.

The Makhado Municipality was represented by Cllr Makhomisane.

Before handing over the cash prize and trophies to the teams, the association’s treasurer, Mr TJ Maphaha, said: "Teams whose houses were not in good order and those who failed to pay the full amount of the affiliation fee, will not get their prizes." Tshiozwi Mabaleng, which was supposed to have received R4 000 for finishing on top of the league in the Makhado 4 local football association, was one of the teams that went home empty handed.

It was also mentioned during the prize-giving ceremony that eight teams under the banner of MALFA has been promoted to the Promotional League.

Mr Muraida Netshivhulana of Sendedza Black Uhuru received a floating trophy and a cash prize of R7 000 on behalf of his team that was crowned the Makhado champ of champs.