Twelve teams in the jurisdiction of the Vhembe District Municipality will compete in the Vhembe District Mayoral Tournament next weekend. The tournament was officially launched during a ceremony that was held at the Thohoyandou Indoor Sports Centre last Wednesday evening.

During the ceremony, the acting executive mayor, Ms Mavhungu Luruli, revealed that the launching of the tournament was the end product of a sequence of meetings between the municipality and the representatives from the SAFA Vhembe region.

She stated that eight men’s teams and four ladies teams will take part in the tournament. The tournament will become an annual event, she said. She also indicated that the tournament will include four PSL teams, i.e. Black Leopards, Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, next year.

During the ceremony, the deputy-president of the association, Mr Paul Netshilindi, appealed to the club officials and players not to involve themselves in wrongdoing like bribery and assault of referees, saying that would not only bring the league into disrepute, but would also dent the image of the municipality.

The champions for the men’s category will receive R10 000, gold medals and a trophy. The runners-up will take home R9 000 and silver medals, while R6 000 and bronze medals will go to the third-placed team. The team that will obtain the fourth position will receive R3 000, while the remaining teams will each receive a consolation prize of R1500.

The champions from the ladies category will receive R5 000, gold medals and a trophy. The remaining three teams will receive cash prizes ranging from R3 000, down to R1 000.

The teams that will take part in the tournament are Tshandama Young Stars, Bongi Stars, First Professional Chippas, Maindis, Thembaluvhilo Seven Stars, Makhitha Yellow Birds, Jerome River Bank, Mulodi Freedom Birds, Manenzhe Liverpool, Lutomboni Junior Fire Boys, Khumbe Poultry Farm and Nesengani Junior Swallows.

The final of the tournament will be staged at the Tshifulanani grounds on Saturday, July 12.