The organisers of the Thovhele NTL Mashamba tournament are inviting teams from around the area to register for the second annual Soccer Challenge Top 32, which will take place later this month.

This competition boasts more than R200,000 in prize money, making it one of the richest tournaments in Vhembe. The first round will be played on 31 May, with the final scheduled for 16 June at the Mashamba Grounds.

According to the spokesperson for the organisers, Mr Freddy Mashamba, the tournament will cater for teams from across Vhembe. He said one of the aims of the event was to identify future football stars.

“We have over the years seen some talented South African soccer players being unearthed from this area,” he added. He said the organisers were committed to developing local football and applauded the sponsors for helping to identify new talent.

The registration fee is R1,500 per team. The winning team will walk away with R70,000, a floating trophy, gold medals and a new soccer kit. The second prize is R35,000, silver medals and a new kit, while the team finishing third will receive R17,500, bronze medals and a new kit. The fourth-placed team will take home R8,500 and a new soccer kit.

For more information, interested teams can contact Mr Mashamba on 082 869 2231 or Mr Nathaniel Mushaku, the chairperson, on 073 991 2071.