Mascom Charity Cup return doubtful

A return of the noble Mascom Charity Cup spectacular hangs in the balance as the local mobile giant network, Mascom Wireless, are still undecided on whether they should press forward and sponsor the one day football tournament.

The cup, with its proceeds extended to charity was played back in April as a ‘fill-up’ event in the absence of the Mascom Top 8 tournament.

The sponsorship of the Mascom Top 8 had elapsed in 2020 and with uncertainty on the possible return to sport due to the coronavirus pandemic, BFL and Mascom had not agreed on a new deal before the season started.

The BFL season also kicked off late in November and any inclusion of the Top 8 tournament into the football calendar was likely to stretch the campaign beyond July.

After confirmation on the return of the Mascom Top 8, ‘Tse Di Tona’ tournament was made on Tuesday, there was no clear communication on whether the charity cup will be staged again this season.

Meanwhile, close reports suggest that, BFL bosses are planning for a one-day football tournament dubbed ‘BFL Community Cup’, which is likely to replace the Mascom Charity Cup and will be played before the start of the season.

Early indications are that the BFL officers will take a nationwide tour where they will conduct surveys and collect data which will reflect the teams with more following in the country, the top four teams will battle it out for the title.

Presently, there are no sponsors yet for the event but reliable sources suggest that end of July has been ear-marked to play the tournament as a pre-season activity.

The BFL Chairman, Nicolas Zakhem however shared that they were open to discussing with Mascom and will give the mobile giants priority to once again deliver the charity cup tournament.

“What we are sure of is the return of Mascom Top 8, we will engage in discussions with the BFL, we are to evaluate everything about the charity cup and make a decision. We are happy as a sponsor with the way it went down, yes, we would have liked more people to vote and we would have loved greater numbers to have attended but it’s not to say the tournament was a failure,” Mascom Wireless Communications and Public Relations Officer, Tirelo Kooagile shared.

Also on Tuesday, Mascom handed over P400 000 to charity cup beneficiaries chosen by the participating teams ahead of the tournament.

Orapa United were crowned champions of the tournament after defeating Security Systems by a solitary goal in the final and Xhumo Primary School benefited at least P195, 623.10 as a result.

Runners-up Security Systems beneficiary, Mafitlhakgosi Primary School walked away with P146, 717.30,

The third and fourth placed teams of the competition, Gaborone United and BDF XI’s beneficiaries walked away with P73, 358.67 each, being, SOS Children’s village in Tlokweng and Moamogwe Primary School.

The BFL Chairman in his remarks, thanked the teams to have chosen schools as the government is currently grappling with declining performances in schools and added that football can play a meaningful role to impact the community at that level.

He further encouraged other teams to identify charity organizations from their respective bases and play a part in building communities.