The 2008 Telkom Charity Cup was officially launched during a glittering ceremony that was held in Johannesburg last Wednesday evening.

During the ceremony, the chairperson for the National Soccer League, Mr Leepile Taunyane, said that this year’s tournament will be staged at the Mmabatho Stadium in the North West on Saturday, August 2.

He indicated that they were aiming to raise R5 million during the one-day tournament. The four teams who will have accumulated the majority of the votes at the end of the voting period will take part in the annual tournament. The voting lines were opened shortly after the ceremony.

Orlando Pirates were still leading the pack at the time of our going to press. Amazulu were threatening to take over the leadership, in case Pirates supporters sit back and relax. They were in the second position, 223 votes behind.

Kaizer Chiefs were in the third spot, while Mamelodi Sundowns were lying in the fourth position. Bloemfontein Celtic, who were part of last year’s tournament, are also doing well in as far as voting is concerned. They are in fifth position, with Moroka Swallows and Black Leopards in the next two positions respectively.

Leopards failed to make the grade in last year’s one-day tournament. Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic took part in last year’s tournament. The voting lines are: Ajax Cape Town (0862 233 600), Amazulu (0862 233 601), Bidvest Wits (0862 233 602) Black Leopards (0862 233 603), Bloemfontein Celtic (0862 233 604), Free State Stars (0862 233 605), Golden Arrows (0862 233 606), Jomo Cosmos (0862 233 607), Kaizer Chiefs (0862 233 608), Mamelodi Sundowns (0862 233 609), Moroka Swallows (0862 233 610), Orlando Pirates (0862 233 611), Platinum Stars (0862 233 612), Santos (0862 233 613), Supersport United (0862 233 614) and Thanda Royal Zulu (0862 233 615).