Matshelagabedi festive footy gets P80,000 boost
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday December 22, 2025 06:00
The place, which is located less than 20km from Francistown, will hosts an annual festive tournament that has attracted sponsorship worth P80,000. A manager at one of the companies that will take part in the sporting showpiece explained that the Matshelagabedi Festive Tournament is being organised by a group of 15 residents who formed a sponsorship collective.
Themba Ngurunyoka said the sponsorship is an increase from the previous tournament, which was sponsored to the tune of P60,000.
“One of the achievements the sponsors and tournament have achieved is collaborating with the village leadership and Village Development Committee in drawing the youth from roaming the streets,” he said when speaking to MmegiSport.
Ngurunyoka stated that this has reduced the number of illegal criminal activities during the festive season.
He added that organisers have donated a printer and accessories worth P10,000 to Matshelagabedi Primary School.
The sponsorship team, led by chairperson Andrew Malibala and treasurer Mogomotsi Motlokwa, has been successfully organizing the tournament for the past four years, recording significant growth in popularity.
Along with Billy Jibajiba, Thuso Mbakile, Oratile Phuthego, Ncedani Showa, Thato Fox, Ephraim Pule, Glody Dube, Lucky Vincent, Moagi Malibala, Gideon Matenje, Mogomotsi Moloi, and Tiro Maruapula, the team has successfully organised the tournament for the past four years, recording significant growth in both popularity and the village's sporting activity.
Ngurunyoka said nine local clubs will participate in the 2025 tournament, with Sekokwe United, Boteko United, and Bricks expected to be the “surprise package.”
“The defending champions, Carnibals FC, also known as Sub ya Muka, will be facing runners-up Tumediso Young Strikers, known as Thibanko,” he added.
He described the latter as approaching the tournament like “wounded buffaloes” after narrowly missing the previous championship.
Ngurunyoka added that the match between the two giants is scheduled for opening day and is expected to break attendance and viewership records.
Meanwhile, Mogoditshane Community Trust has partnered with the Matlolapata organising committee to deliver a football festival set for January 2, 2026, at Solomon Dihutso Grounds. The trust will donate 100 football kits for two women’s teams.
Speaking during the sponsorship launch on Wednesday, Mogoditshane Community Trust Fund vice chairperson, Alfred Setlhake, said the initiative was part of a charitable mandate to address the needs of the community, particularly regarding Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Matlolapata chairperson, Kehumile Kgoroba, said the tournament has been in existence since 1993.
“The partnership not only enhanced the event’s profile, but also increased the commercial appeal of the local game,” he said.
Kgoroba said the tournament should be a platform that gives back to the community by supporting the needy and elderly.
The event will feature seven clubs comprising Under-15, Under-17, and Under-20 players, followed by junior masters and veterans.