09 Dec 2014

Thamaga, a village which has hit headlines for the wrongs reasons due to gang violence and atrocious crime recently will now shift focus in an effort to combat crime via this year’s annual Christmas Charity football tournament to start on December 25.

The tournament organiser, Tiro Lepotokisi said in an interview that the tournament, which started in 2006 and in its eighth year solely for charity, will continue but this time under the tagline “Enough is enough, Stop crime and violence.”

He explained that the recent escalation of crime in the area had become a concern and that had purported them to dedicate this year’s tournament to drive the campaign against crime and violence.

Lepotokisi added that they have also designed tee shirts as part of the awareness campaign.

“On Dec 28 before the final game, we are going to have a march across the village right to the football stadium as part of awareness exercise,” he said.

There are also various speakers lined up to address the audience just before the game as way of motivating Thamaga residents to unite and help combat crime in the village.

Other activities of the charity tournament include the gala dinner after the final game where players and other outstanding people involved in the whole tournament would receive accolades.

Lepotokisi thus encouraged people to buy the t-shirts and wear them during the tournament as way of showing support to the campaign adding “our intention is to fight crime from 2014 and beyond.”

Again, Lepotokisi said they have also invited people from the sports fraternity such as former coaches and former players while invitations have also been extended to current premier league players and some playing abroad, among them Joel Mogorosi, Modiri Marumo, Mogogi Gabonamong and many others.

The tournament would start with a curtain raiser game featuring Tiro and Friends team against a Thamaga select comprising both retired and current active players.

Lepotokisi said they would try to spread the “Enough is Enough, Stop crime and violence” messages via each game played throughout the tournament.

Meanwhile, the tournament would feature eight teams with four from local clubs and four other visiting teams.

Local teams include Thamaga Shooting Stars (TSS), Sanyane Celtics, Thamaga Blue Aces and Thamaga Swallows while visitors include Uniao Flamengo Santos, Lesirane City, Black Forest and defending champions Tourism FC.

“We have tried to improve this tournament with the introduction of other teams from the region with the aim to see teams from Thamaga play in top the flight leagues preferably the premier league,” said Lepotokisi.

Lepotokisi said their loyal stakeholders like ProGuard Security services and Kings Bar in Thamaga would continue to support them.

However, he said they were currently negotiating possible partnership with sponsors but nothing was certain yet.

Tickets for the games are sold at P30. Gala dinner tickets are sold at P100 and P200 for standard and VIP respectively and the event will be held at Thamaga Community hall. ENDS