Last Sunday was harvest day for the teams playing under the auspices of the Thulamela Local Football Association (Thulfa) last season. The association’s prize-giving ceremony was held at the 2 Ten Hotel in Sibasa.

The general manager of MTG Funeral Services, Mr Shudufhadza Magwabeni, indicated during the ceremony that his company will continue to sponsor the league in the coming years and promised that the sponsorship amount will increase with time. He indicated that they were impressed in the manner in which the association administered its finances.

The champions from the eight streams were presented with R6 500 each. The teams that finished their league programmes on top of their respective streams, Cobra Stars, Tshambobvu Junior Aces, Mutuwa Brazilians, Mahagala Young Stars, Tshilonwe Young Bombers, Phaphazela Real Hexagon, Makonde FC and Matangari High Aims, will be campaigning in the SAB League when the activities for the new season commence in two months' time.

The prizes for the MTG and PIB Soccer Challenge were also dished out during the ceremony. The champions, Begwa United, received R15 000. They were also presented with a floating trophy, gold medals and soccer kit. The runners-up, Vondwe United Brothers, received R5 000, silver medals and soccer kit during the ceremony.

Cobra Stars (third) received R3 000 and a soccer kit, while Mutale Vikings (fourth), took home a cash prize of R2 000. The teams booted out in the quarterfinal stage, Banyini Flying Swallows, Arsenal FC, Themba Heroes, and Shadani Dangerous Scorpions, were each presented with a consolation prize of R1 000.

During the ceremony, the sports and recreation manager of Thulamela Local Municipality, Mr Ronald Makhadi, described sports as a unifying factor. He revealed that the municipality was busy upgrading several stadiums, including Makonde, Saselemani and Gondeni. He also mentioned that the Makonde Stadium will be able to host PSL matches when the upgrading process comes to an end.