By FOCUS REPORTER
ORGANISERS of the annual Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup are calling all the deserving
schools in the country to register themselves for the 2012 edition of the competition.
Registration for this competition which is regarded as the world’s richest schools
tournament opened last week.
Financial Services Company,Sanlam, the Motsepe Family Foundation and Ubuntu Botho Trust have urged
every school in all nine provinces, whether private, independent, township
or rural, to register to compete.
The tournament is played under the auspices of the South African Schools
Football Association (SASFA) .
Not only is there a total of R3.4 million in prize money up for grabs, but
football scouts from Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club will be attending as
many rounds as possible in a bid to find exceptional talent to place in the
Mamelodi Sundowns Football Academy.
“One of the key objectives of this sponsorship is to get as many football
players as possible between the ages of 15 and 19 to compete and possibly to
be seen by soccer scouts. Players who stand out will then be recruited into
development structures to be nurtured and shaped into professional
footballers,” said Frank Louw, Sanlam’s Sponsorships Manager. “To be able to
achieve this we need to encourage all schools to register no matter where
they are situated and they have until March 9 to do so.”
The prize money is to be utilised for any development project that enhances
or advances the mission and objectives of the school and/or its immediate
community, e.g. building of extra classrooms, computer centres, upgrading
the soccer pitch etc
The Motsepe Family Foundation endorses the objectives and rationale behind
the sponsorship: “Look at our president, Mr Patrice Motsepe,” said Kenneth
Makhanya, representative of the Motsepe Family Foundation and Ubuntu Botho
Trusts. “He achieved success by setting goals and working hard to ensure he
reached them – which often meant sacrifice. The Sanlam Kay Motsepe Cup was
initiated by Mr Motsepe through the Motsepe Family Foundation in memory of
his mother and to recognize the integral role she played in his life –
encouraging him through school, then university and helping him through the
dark times as well. This is what we want for the South African youth and
Sanlam, having the same vision, has created an ideal partnership.”
To register to compete in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup, please contact
Mr Nelson Belebesi of the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA)
011 567 2824 or Mr Frank Louw of Sanlam on 021 947 2093. Registration closes
on March 9.
Winners’ prize money:
1st Place R1 000 000
2nd Place R600 000
3rd Place R500 000
4th Place R400 000
9 x provincial winners R100 000 each