IT’S E12M FOR INGWENYAMA CUP

MBABANE – Teams and outstanding individuals will get a share from a whopping E12 million purse in the next three editions of the Ingwenyama Cup.

His Majesty King Mswati III announced the new sponsorship for the period 2018 to 2020 before excited guests, football officials and players during the prestigious tournament prize giving ceremony at Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre on Friday night.  This is an increment of E3 million, as compared to the package for the past three years. Following the flawless blending of football and culture in all three editions, the King stressed that it would be difficult to stop the tournament, as the nation was used to it. “The nation is now used to the tournament, as it comes with exciting incentives for the outstanding teams and culture groups. The E9 million package for the first three years has been exhausted, but we’re not here to announce the end of the tournament, as the interest in it is amazing.

“With inflation in mind, we’re excited to announce that the sponsorship is shooting up to E12 million,” said the King, much to the applause of the hundreds in attendance. The King stated that the money would be equally spread for the next three years. In each edition from the 2018/19 season, up to E4 million will up for up for grabs. The sponsorship runs until the 2020/2021 season. In his address, the King commended both the sponsor Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (SMVAF) and the tournament Committees chaired by the Prince Hlangabeza for making the festivities a success. He noted that SMVAF was now an established brand with E300 million in its coffers. “The nation welcomes the significant growth the Fund has achieved in recent times. That includes the completion of an office park, which houses one of the best radiology centres in Southern Africa. “We encourage the Fund to make sure that it continues with its good work of increasing accessibility to its services, more so to the marginalised road users,” said the King.

The King then challenged the teams and culture groups to stay in shape in pursuit for silverware in the next three years. Meanwhile, the tournament was launched in 2015 and Mbabane Swallows won all three editions. The 2017/18 champions got E1.2 million. Winning culture groups this year got a revised E21 000 each. Following the announcement of the revised E12 million sponsorship, teams could strike it rich. Premier League of Swaziland (PLS) Chairman Mark Carmichael said the nation was indebted to the King for throwing his weight behind sport and christened His Majesty a shining star. “The King further comes to the stadium to motivate the players, so we’ve a duty to assist His Majesty in realising the dream of making Eswatini national side a force to be reckoned with in Africa. “Since the launch of the Ingwenyama Cup, Sihlangu are now playing well, while champions Mbabane Swallows are also making waves in the CAF Champions League,” said Carmichael. The prize breakdown, according to Carmichael, was yet to be finalised, pending a meeting of the relevant football and culture structures.

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