The teams affiliated to the Safa Vhembe Regional Association received their league prizes during a ceremony at Thohoyandou on Saturday, 15 June. During the event, 144 teams received their prizes.

Joe’s Express received the largest cheque and took home R20 000 and a floating trophy. United Artists, who finished in the second spot, received R15 000. Mukula Young Santos took home R13 000 while the fourth prize of R11 000 was presented to Western Stars.

Teams which finished in the fifth to the ninth position in the promotional playoff round-robin matches, Maweja Takers, Muziafera Blue Eagles, Matsakali Sky Rangers, Tshibvumo Young Stars and Seven United Brothers, were each given R9 000.

The prize-giving ceremony was done in conjunction with the official launching of the new sponsorship for the league. The league will be known as the MMK Funeral Soccer League in future, following a decision by the management of the company to sponsor the league. During the ceremony, the general manager of the company, Mr Thomas Ramuhuyu, handed over a cheque to the value of R300 000 to the president of the association, Mr George Kubayi.

Ramuhunyu indicated that their decision to sponsor the league was reached after they realized that most of the people which they were burying were youths. “As a responsible company, we felt that we could not just stand aside and look on; instead, we should find a way to develop the youth,” he said.

During the ceremony, the acting chief executive officer of the Premier Soccer League, Mr Cambridge Mokonyane, stated that before any company decided to sponsor any association, they first looked at the leadership of that particular association. He praised the Safa Vhembe Regional League for the excellent management of their finances.

The executive mayor of Vhembe District, Cllr Tshitereke Matibe, revealed that his municipality will continue to sponsor the association by way of staging the annual Vhembe Mayoral Tournament. Last year’s tournament was sponsored to the tune of R550 000.