INGWENYAMA CUP SPONSORSHIP REACHES E36M

LOBAMBA – The Ingwenyama Cup has been officially launched with a substantial sponsorship of E15 million to be disbursed over three years.
This announcement was made by Ingwenyama Cup Chairmain Prince Hlangabeza at Enkhanini yesterday, in the presence of Polycarp Dlamini, Chairman of the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE), David Myeni, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (SMVAF), along with various football officials and dignitaries.
The regional tournament is scheduled to commence during the weekend of December 7-8, where the last 64 teams will compete. The subsequent round of matches will take place on December 14-15, featuring the last 32 teams, while the last 16 stage is set for the weekend of December 28-29.The quarter-finals and semi-finals are anticipated to begin early next year, with the announcement of the major tournament also expected in early January. The final four regional teams will join the 28 PLE teams. The defending champions of the Ingwenyama Cup, Green Mamba, triumphed over Mbabane Swallows with a score of 1-0, thanks to a penalty by Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, securing the E1.4 million first prize.
The E15 million sponsorship will be allocated E5 million annually, reflecting an increase of E3 million overall compared to the previous three-year term, which saw SMVAF invest E12 million at E4 million per year. The initial three-year sponsorship, commencing in 2015, amounted to E9 million until 2018. Cumulatively, the SMVAF sponsorship has now reached E36 million.

Culture

During the launch, Prince Hlangabeza expressed gratitude to His Majesties for the vision behind the sponsorship, which aims to promote not only elite teams, but also regional clubs and culture. He stated that the increase in sponsorship will depend on the tournament being free of violence.“This will facilitate an increase in sponsorship if we maintain decorum throughout the tournament. The launch of this tournament seeks to unearth talent, and it is evident that those engaged in sports often achieve greater wealth than those in business,” he remarked.
He further emphasised the importance of encouraging participation in sports and cultural activities.

“To those involved in sports or cultural dances, it is imperative to conduct yourselves with care. The talent bestowed upon you by God must be nurtured. The increase in sponsorship is a direct result of the talent that their majesties observe during these events.”While the tournament is set to commence soon, it will temporarily pause to accommodate the Incwala ceremony. “We urge players and dancers to prepare diligently for the tournament. Everyone has the opportunity to win prizes; it will depend on your performance this year, or perhaps you may try again next year or in subsequent editions.” Meanwhile PLE Chairman Polycarp Dlamini expressed profound gratitude to His Majesty for his invaluable contributions, stating: “We are delighted to convey our thanks for the support extended to us.”

Success

He noted that the previous edition of the tournament had been a resounding success, with the stadium filled to capacity, despite adverse weather conditions. He remarked that the recent sponsorship marked the last phase, yet Their Majesties deemed it appropriate to allocate additional funds for the upcoming edition. Dlamini highlighted the intention to launch initiatives that will spotlight regional tournaments and celebrate local culture. Furthermore, he made a passionate appeal for violence-free games, underscoring the importance of safety in sports.
David Myeni, CEO of SMVAF, conveyed his satisfaction regarding the previous edition, stating, “We were pleased that the tournament was conducted without any incidents of violence.”
He emphasised that the necessary milestones for success were achieved, which they continue to advocate for. Myeni also urged the people of Eswatini to remain safe during the events, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring that the tournament is a success throughout its duration.

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