Local charity to score R50 000

POLOKWANE – The South African Breweries (SAB) soccer team was crowned the champions of the first Hollywood Bets Charity Soccer Tournament after beating the host team 3-0 in the finals.

This tournament, which was played on Saturday in Seshego Zone 2 at the Steel Firm Grounds saw SAB walking away with the grand prize of R50 000 which they will donate to charity. Altogether eight soccer teams from various companies and government departments locked horns on the pitch during the tournament.

Hollywood Bets Mobile Operations Manager, Mukhethwa Nyase, said the tournament was to say thank you to the community. “We always give back to the community but this year we decided to host a soccer tournament for a change. I really wish this could be an annual event,” he said.

He further thanked everyone who made the tourney a success and congratulated SAB for claiming the title.

According to Hollywood Bets Mobile Marketing and Training Assistant, Pearl Manasoe, the winner is not allowed take even a single penny from the cash prize but rather have to donate the money to a charity.

“The cash prize is donated by Hollywood Bets because we wanted to plough back into the community. We are glad all the invited teams came to take part and represented their institutions well,” said Manasoe.

SAB Representative, Moraswi Mapela, said their team deserved to win and he is happy that they emerged victorious. He said they play soccer matches regularly and know the opponents’ weaknesses which greatly attributed to their win.

He added they are still searching for a charity organisation to donate the prize money to. “The prize doesn’t come as hard cash but in the form of a project. We were given until February to complete whatever project we decide on.” The teams that competed were BMW Autohaus, Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, Eskom, SAB, Old Mutual, SABC, Polokwane Municipality, and Hollywood Bets.

endy@nmgroup.co.za