FRIDAY, 111.00AM:
SOUTH AFRICAN soccer is to get R25-million sponsorship boost from Rothmans of Pall Mall to fund a new knock-out competition over the next four years. The new competition will be known as the Rothmnans Cup.
Sports Minister Steve Tshwete said yesterday: “This cup competition comes at a critical moment. Soccer, after an investigation, is picking up the pieces to consolidate itself as the number one sport in the country.” Tshwete added the sponsorship will be beneficial to SA soccer on two levels. “Firstly, it will be sustaining the elite performance in the Premier Soccer League and secondly, it is an attempt to widen participation in the catchment areas.”
The Cup will have a R1-million first prize and all 18 PSL teams will participate in the preliminary and first-round matches. The winner of the competition will also represent South Africa in one of the Confederation of African Football club competitions in 1998.