17 Aug 2022

Four football teams will participate in the CS soccer tournament billed for Francistown.

The challenge, which is the brain child of Francistown-based business man, Carlos Sebina, kicks-off at the Francistown Old Stadium on Saturday.

Nico United, Calendar Stars, Chadibe FC and Eleven Angels will participate. 

The winner will walk away with P25 000 while runners up will pocket P15 000.

Third and fourth will get P7 500 and P2 500 respectively.

Speaking at a press conference this week, CS challenge treasurer, Babe Makwinja, said their vision was to contribute to community social development, physical enhancement as well as community economic development for Francistown.

She told journalists that because of Sebina’s love and passion for football, the tournament was birthed.

CS challenge was formed in 2019 and the intention was to host the first tournament the same year, but due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, everything came to a halt.

Makwinja further indicated that they decided to invite Nico United from outside the greater Francistown, to create fun while enhancing competition.

“What is interesting is that all the participating teams have played in the first division whilst some have been promoted to the elite league,” she added.

Makwinja said there would be other prices such as the best player of the tournament and young player of the tournament (under 21).

There will also be an award for the best goal keeper and top goal scorer.

She further stated that each team will also get P1 000 for their meals, two cases of water bottles and P250 for each team’s laundry.

Makwinja explained that they decided to host the tournament to boost the teams on the logistics as they prepared for the start of their respective league competitions.

She explained that CS soccer challenge was an initiative of volunteers who were patriotic to the development of football in the second city and that they intended to introduce other sporting codes to make the tournament more attractive and inclusive in future.

She also indicated that the tournament would now be an annual event to make Francistown the city of sporting hub.

Makwinja also take advantage of the event to announce that CS soccer Challenges has pledged to donate 100 pairs of school shoes to various schools in Francistown after a successful fund raising activities held on the past.

In his remarks, CS soccer challenge, secretary general, Ofentse Motlogelwa, explained that CS Soccer Challenge was to contribute to the development of football in Francistown and beyond.

He said Francistown had good sports resources, but was not represented in the elite or premier league.

Francistown deputy mayor, Lesego Kwambala, encouraged the business community to take advantage of the tournament to sell their goods and services.

He said the tournament would bring business and boost the economy of Francistown.

Kwambala said appealed to residents to fill up the stadium by supporting their respective teams to make the tournament a success.

Kwambala disclosed that the tournament was a great boost for the four teams, adding teams in the northern region were faced with serious challenge of lack of sponsors.

Chairperson of Francistown Regional Football Association (FRAFA), Fanyana Fish appealed to the management of the CS Soccer Challenge to spread its wings outside the city of Francistown to make the tournament more attractive.

Patrons will part with P30 while vehicle be charged P20 at the gate. ENDS