December 13, 2004
By Lucky Sindane
THE annual Godfrey Moloi Goodwill Games are set to take place from 15 to 31 December at the Mapetla Sports Complex in Soweto.
The Games, now sponsored by MTN, are a not-to-be-missed, two-week-long sporting extravaganza, filled with excitement from start to finish. This year the event also includes a 10km fun run and netball matches.
This year, to celebrate the event's 25th anniversary, the Games will be bigger and better than ever before, with the main attraction being the men's soccer, with 48 teams participating.
Known as 'The Godfather of Soweto' the late Godfrey Moloi, who passed away in 1998, started the Games 25 years ago, in an attempt to unite the people of Soweto.
The flamboyant Moloi had a rich and varied life and was best known as an entrepreneur who ran a number of shebeens in the township before finally acquiring a legal liquor licence in his later years.
"The event will be launched on the 15 December at the Mapetla Sports Complex and we are going to have soccer coaching clinics for young players," said Global Sports Connections tournament director, Vusi Kunene.
The men's soccer tournament gives players an opportunity to showcase their talent in the presence of Premier Soccer League scouts.
Some current Premier Soccer League players who were spotted while playing in the tournament include Papi Khomane of Orlando Pirates, Thabo Mooki of Kaizer Chiefs and Jacob Lekgetho, who plays for Moscow Lokomotiv in Russia.
"The Games are an annual goldmine of football talent from which many top clubs, right through to Premier Soccer League level, spot and sign potential football stars," says MTN national sponsorship manager, Victor Rakhale.
"I have no doubt that this year's event will produce players who will be the talking points of the beautiful game in time to come, while providing fans of this wonderful sport with action packed entertainment over the festive season," he adds.
The winners of the men's soccer tournament will take home a cheque of R20 000, while the runners-up will take home R10 000. The teams that finish third and fourth will pocket R5 000 and R2 500 respectively.
"The MTN Godfrey Moloi Goodwill Games are fast becoming national football property, and we have been receiving inquiries from district teams as far as KwaZulu Natal, Western Cape and the North West Province," says Kunene.
"Fans will get a chance to vote for their four favourite teams, which will participate in the Charity Cup knockout competition to be played on Christmas Day. The winners will donate R2 000 of their prize money to a charity of their choice," he adds.
Meanwhile, eight teams will contest the netball tournament, with prize money of R1 500 going to the winners and R500 to the runners-up. The tournament takes place from 20 to 26 December at the Moletsane Sports Complex.
The 10km fun run race will take place on the 31 December at 8am at the Moletsane Sports Complex.
Entry fee for the men's soccer tournament is R750 per team and R60 for the netball tournament. Entry for the 10km fun run is free.
To enter your team, and for more information, contact Vusi Kunene on 083 716 8885 or visit the Moletsane Sports Complex.
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