THOHOYANDOU – Thohoyandou One District Football Association has received a financial backup. This follows the decision by the managing director of the Limpopo Hardware, Mr Omar Ahmed to sponsor the association.

The official launching of the sponsorship was done during a ceremony that was held at the Thohoyandou Indoor Sports Centre last Friday evening. During the ceremony one of the directors of the company Mr Asif Adhalkhia stated that it is the policy of his company to give a portion of their profit back to the community. He appealed to the management of the association to utilise the money properly towards football development in their area of jurisdiction. During the ceremony, Mr Adhalkhia handed a cheque of R25 000 to the treasurer of the association, Mr NM Mukumela.

The mayor of the Thulamela Municipality, Chief TN Makumbane, stated that sponsorships play a vital role in sports development. He was the guest speaker at the ceremony. He described football, as a community building sport that plays a major role in as far as job creation is concerned.

He praised the management of the Limpopo Hardware for their decision to sponsor the association despite the economic hardships that are facing the business community in the area. "Blessed is the hand that gives than the one that takes," he said.

Sixty-three teams that are campaigning in the Thodfa One District Association will benefit from the sponsorship. During the ceremony it was announced that the association will now be known as the Limpopo Hardware Soccer League.