02 May 2025

The inaugural Bandleng Live Soccer Tournament themed ‘Our Heritage our Pride’ is slated to enthrall soccer enthusiasts this weekend at Lobatse Old Stadium.

Speaking in an interview, director of Bandleng Live  and also organiser of Bandleng Soccer Tournament, Kaone Malele said this was the first tournament of its kind where the winning soccer team would be bestowed with a Heritage Cup. This would be in line with celebrating Lobatse heritage geared towards reviving the town and boosting its economic activity.

Eight social club teams are scheduled  to battle it out during the Bandleng Live Soccer Tournament tomorrow in the quarter finals while semifinals and finals would be held on Sunday where the winner would be crowned with Heritage cup.

The prestigious cup has been sponsored by Lobatse Member of Parliament Karmal Jacobs to the tune of P20 000 through the Kamal Jacobs Foundation. Malele said the money would buy soccer kits for the participating social club teams which would scoop positions one, two and three.

He said the finances would also buy the Heritage trophy, gold, silver and bronze medals adding that the winning team would get a cash prize of P3 500, while position two and three would win P2 500, and  P1 500 respectively. A team which will scoop position four will get P1 000 and a ball. All the top four teams will each get an honor certificate.

Maele said in line with gender inclusivity, the games shall also encompass different sporting activities for women which would include tag of war, sack race, as filler activities during football breaks, to entertain the crowd, adding that the winners would also get trophies and medals.

“The main aim of the tournament is to raise awareness through entertainment by celebrating our heritage in Lobatse. We are expecting officers from National Museum to come and share about our rich historical sites such as the Samora Machel museum, Fish Keitseng museum as well as the Old Legislative Council,” he said.

Furthermore, Malele said they were still looking for more sponsors for the tournament adding that any proceeds that would be accrued would go into buying stationery for Lobatse schools. 

He highlighted that their dream was to move Lobatse to greater heights. Maele said combining sports and entertainment could aid in drawing attention to the oldest town in the country hence boost the economy.

For his part, Kamal Jacobs Foundation’s public relations officer, Refilwe Mooketsi said as a non-profit making organisation they assisted the Bandleng Live Soccer Tournament by soliciting for donations for their first event looking at the potential positive impact that it could bring. 

He said their support for the soccer tournament was part of the KJ Foundation’s ongoing youth empowerment initiatives and community development through sports.

“These are young people at the forefront of this activity and our focus is to keep them engaged and positively contribute towards national development. Football by its nature brings young people together in social cohesion,” he said. ENDS