MMK Administrators' sponsorship for Safa Vhembe will increase from R400 000 to R450 000 next year. This was revealed by the company’s general manager, Pastor Thomas Ramuhuyu.

He delivered the keynote address during the prize-giving ceremony that was held at the Munakisi Hall in Muledane last Friday evening.

Ramuhuyu indicated that his company was impressed by the manner in which the association was managing its finances. A total of R645 500 was distributed to the 142 clubs affiliated to the association last season. During the ceremony, the overall champions, United Artists, received a cheque of R40 000 and a floating trophy.

Rabali Pull Together went home with a cheque of R30 000, while the third-placed Makovha All Stars were presented with a cheque of R25 000. Tshakhuma RO United, who finished the league in fourth place, received R20 000.

The other five teams which took part in the champ-of-champs tournament last month, Mpheni Home Defenders, Wayeni Sea Robbers, Muswodi Happy Fighters, Mukula Young Santos and Ficus FC, received R12 000 each. The second-placed teams from the nine streams were given R7 000 each.

Teams which obtained the third to the ninth spot on the log received cash prizes ranging from R6 000 down to R3 000, while the remaining teams were given a consolation prize of R2 000 each.

It was announced that the overall champions, United Artists, will represent the Vhembe Region during the provincial play-offs at the Mahwelereng Stadium in Mokopane this weekend. The last two teams on the log in each stream will be relegated to the lower league.

A representative from the South African Football Association head office, Mr Gay Mokoana, stated that not only was Vhembe Region the biggest in the country, but it was the best region when it came to administration.

It was also announced during the ceremony that the league activities for the new season will start during the weekend of 26 and 27 September.