Meshack Motloung

Meshack Motloung

Organisers of the Telkom Charity Cup, the most prestigious one-day tournament in the Premiership, donated R4,1 million yesterday to charity organisations across the country.

The proceeds were raised from the event that was staged for the first time at the Mmabatho Stadium in Mafikeng last year. It was such a success that the organisers are taking it back to North West on August 2.

The needy organisations that benefitted from this event have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the aged, infirm, disabled and children in crisis.

This was the tournament's 23rd year but it was Telkom's eighth season.

The competition's sponsorship manager Zola Nkutha said staging the event at smaller venues resulted in a decrease in funds raised from ticket sales.

But she was thankful for the generous donation of R1 million each from the North West province and e-tv.

"We believe that through our ongoing backing and sponsorship of this event, we are setting a tangible example of how to invest in people and communities," said Nkutha.

"The charity tournament is a phenomenon as the funds are generated by fans, many of whom are socially vulnerable themselves."

The beneficiaries fall into two categories. Firstly, the 50 that applied for funding during the 2007 Charity Cup season will each receive R75000.

The second category is of those charities nominated by each of last season's 16 Premiership sides. Each of them will get R15 000, while the four teams that took part in the event receive R30 000 each that will be distributed to charities of their choice.

Chairman of the Telkom Charity Trust, Leepile Taunyane said: "We look at those left without parental care and love, those who are likely to be forced into child labour, who are prone to malnutrition and starvation and those with limited opportunity to attend school and other facilities."