Gogobole Village were crowned champions of the annual Sinthumule Kutama Easter Sports Challenge. The competition was held at the Vhuilafuri Stadium, Madabani, during the past weekend.

Villages from the Sinthumule and Kutama area participated in the tournament. In the finals, Gogobole beat Manavhela 3-0 and took home R8 000 cash and a new soccer kit. The runners-up, Manavhela, received R4 000 and a soccer kit.

The gala dinner, which was sponsored by Riashumisana Event Management, was held at Ravele Community Hall on Sunday evening, just after the final game. “We are the best team among the good teams,” said an excited chairperson of the Gogobole team, Mr Phineas Malima. The head of technical and coaching affairs at the Makhado Local Football Association, Mr Scara Tshigomana, said that the association was committed to working with the organisers and giving them full support. “It is the first time for us to be this directly involved in the Sinthumule-Kutama Easter Sports Challenge games, but we can tell the tournament has gown big now,” Tshigomana said.

The PRO and general secretary of Mamu Community Sport Development, Mr Jafter Mamugudubi, thanked all the people who participated in the tournament. “Great things are yet to come,” he said. “We need your support all the time. Well done to the Sinthumule Kutama Easter Sports Challenge 2014 champions!”

The representative of the sponsors, Mr Marubini Mapholi, who is also the manager of PostNet Makhado, reminded the tournament organisers, teams that played and the people who supported the tournament that the sponsors were not supporting the annual Sinthumule Kutama Easter Sports Challenge financially because they had a lot of money to do so. “We do so because love you,” Mapholi said. “We are always burning with a desire to nurture your talent and show appreciation for your support to our businesses.”

The occasion was attended by dignitaries such as Mayor David Muvhatsindi of Makhado, Cllr David Davhana, Phathutshedzo Mudau (Miss Madombidzha Arsenal 2014) and representatives from the Sinthumule Traditional Council.

The former president of the South African Football Association, Mr Kirsten Nematandani, said that he was very pleased to see that there were people who loved sports in the Sinthumule and Kutama areas.

The tournament is organised annually by Mamu Community Sports Development. Businesses such as, among others, M. Premjee & Son Cash and Carry, Hyundai, PostNet Makhado, Coca Cola and TD Mphaphuli Attorneys sponsor the tournament.