The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Newspapers board chairman Delma Lupepe donated $2 000 to the Filabusi Soccer League end of year tournament held at Pangani Youth Training Centre last Sunday.
Lupepe’s generous show of goodwill contributed towards the prize money handed out to the teams that participated in the tournament. The four teams were Skybirds, Kill Once, Kent Mine and Pansigwe. Kill Once defeated Skybirds 1-0 in the final.
Lupepe said he has business interests in Filabusi in the mining sector and it made sense to give back to the community hence the donation.
“We have a big mining project in Filabusi where we are also working to empower the locals. We are investing $5 million in phases and looking to empower 1 000 people including downstream when the project is complete. We are also giving expert advice to small scale miners,’’ said Lupepe.
For being champions on the day, Kill Once walked away with $600 which was accompanied by a kit and a soccer ball. Skybirds took home $400 and a playing kit, third place got $300 and the team fourth received $200.
Insiza North Member of Parliament Andrew Langa provided the football playing uniforms and the soccer balls. Langa expressed his gratefulness to the donation from Lupepe.
“Delma Lupepe gave us $2 000, all the four teams got some prize money and the rest of the funds went into administration,’’ Langa said.
Having had the inaugural edition of the tournament last year which was sponsored by miner Trynos Nkomo, Langa indicated that their wish was to have the event held on an annual basis.
“We have agreed that this will be an annual event, we want to have it every year,’’ said Langa.
The league is made up of teams from both Insiza South and North constituenices.
Meanwhile, Langa will be one of the guests at the Godlwayo South Soccer League end of season awards to be staged at Avoca Business Centre on Wednesday. Highlanders and Zimbabwe Warriors legend Madinda Ndlovu will be the guest of honour at a ceremony where Chief Vezi Maduna as well as Insiza South MP Malach Nkomo are expected to be in attendance.
Players, coaches, teams and match official who excelled in the 13-team GSSL will be rewarded for their sterling efforts this season. The league, in its third year is bankrolled by the South Africa based duo of Kossam Mavuna Ndlovu, Zibusiso Majankwe Ncube and Bulawayo businessman Bhekimpilo Maranda Sithole with the trio going by the acronym MMM.
The awards ceremony promises to be a day to remember for the community of Insiza South as a beast will be slaughtered and food provided for all the people in attendance.
Mbembesi were the winners of this year’s GSSL with Dekezi second and Silalatshani third. A tournament for the top four teams was also held in Mbembesi where $300 winner takes all was at stake. Silalatshani defeated Avoca on penalties after the two teams had been deadlocked 1-1 in normal time while Dekezi conquered Mbembesi 1-0 in the other semi-final.
In the end Silalatshani walked away with the $300 after a 1-0 triumph over Dekezi in the final.
@Mdawini_29
