03 May 2022

Football lovers are readying themselves for a thrilling spectacle as the Kenney Ledikwe Annual Charity tournament kicks off during the President’s Day holidays in July.

Former Gaborone United winger, Kenny Ledikwe, launched this year’s edition on April 30 and teams in the tournament will include three from division one: Moritshane Lions, Gabane Jet Fighters and VTM, joining first division south outfits Black Forest, Uniao Flamingo Santos and Kumakwane United to fight for the floating trophy and P6 000 first prize money.

Speaking at the launch, tournament coordinator, Keletso Motlhalamme said the charity competition started in 2014 with the aim to develop and promote football in Gabane, where the former star traced his early playing days and roots.

Motlhalamme said upon retirement, the former player held talks with his colleagues to help him nurture his ambition because he was concerned that the village was no longer producing enough players for top flight football like it did in the past.

Gabane is known for producing some of the finest players to have ever graced the top flight league in the mould of Rio Maswabi and Bashi Twenty who plied their trade with BDF XI.

Other players of interest include Kaizer Brown of Notwane, Ronny Tshwaane and Piero Dipheko of Extension Gunners, Shimane Ntshweu of Mogoditshane Fighters, Innocent Ranku of Notwane and Willie Mantu of GU, among others.

Motlhalamme said remembering the past legends and the dearth of replicating such football heroes was when the idea of hosting the annual football tournament was birthed and had grown in leaps and bounds. Gabane Jet Fighters, the current tournament hosts, emerged the inaugural winners in 2014 and retained the cup the following year.

In 2016, the tournament did not take place owing to a few logistical challenges but when it resumed in 2017, division two side Moritshane Lions were crowned champions.

In 2018, when the tournament was now well established, organisers invited teams from other competitive leagues such as Kweneng regional football league.

Meanwhile, Gabane-Mmankgodi nominated councillor, Shadrack Phutinyana said initiatives such as the Kenny Ledikwe tournament were heart-warming because youth were doing what they loved to curb social ills. He thus pledged support for the forthcoming tournaments and encouraged the business community to assist the noble initiative. ENDS