Here is to 20 spectacular years of the Charity Cup

Monday saw the launch of the 2005 Telkom Charity Cup, the eagerly awaited one-day soccer competition where the team participation is entirely decided by the most important of football stakeholders, the fans.

Participation in this year’s phone-in voting to choose the four soccer teams that will do battle in July is expected to break previous years’ records as South Africa prepares to stage the Soccer World Cup in 2010.

This premier league soccer event benefits a substantial number of charities that work with children, the aged, the infirm and the disabled. A record R2.6 million was distributed to charities across the country after the 2004 NSL/Telkom Charity Cup.

Telkom is a model corporate citizen striving to contribute meaningfully to the country’s socio-economic upliftment. It spent R45.4 million to meet its corporate social objectives in the year ended March 31, 2005 - up from R40.5 million spent during 2004.

The Telkom Charity Cup is the Professional Soccer League’s season opener, scheduled for Saturday, 30 July 2005 at the FNB Stadium.

Trevor Phillips, CEO of the PSL said: “It is not often that one sees an event enduring for two decades. It is especially heartening considering that this event has been a lifeline for many for 20 years.”

“The PSL is proud to be the custodian of the Telkom Charity Cup, historically an exciting live and television event, followed with great interest by soccer aficionados as it provides an ideal platform for the top teams to showcase some of their new talent before the official season kicks off ,” concluded Phillips.

This year, football fans again have the opportunity to ensure that their four favorite teams participate in this unique event. Voting lines for all 16 Premier Soccer League teams will go live today during this press conference, closing at midnight on Friday, 22 July 2005.

A percentage of the cost of each call will be allocated for distribution to the charities. Cell phone subscribers will also be able to make use of SMS (text messaging) voting to assist their favourite teams in making it to the Telkom Charity Cup by sms’ing their team’s names to 34709. These sms’s will also generate revenue for the Charity Trust. Voters will also stand a chance to win spot prizes, hampers, tickets and cash prizes from Telkom.

Foneworx ensures a fair and transparent voting process, and the final results will be audited and verified by an independent firm of auditors commissioned by the NSL/Telkom Charity Trust. To preserve the integrity of the voting system, safeguards will again be put in place to eliminate the risk of multiple entries being generated via computer, fax modem as well as fraudulent and illegal calls.

The public response to the vote-line is expected to be phenomenal and should surpass last year’s results if one considers the sterling marketing effort by teams such as Black Leopards and Sundowns.

The results will be available electronically on www.charitycup.co.za and will be updated live. The deadline for voting will be midnight on Friday 22 July 2005 and the final results will be available at a media conference planned for the 25 July 2005. The web page will be updated until 20:00 (8pm) Tuesday 19th July, after which the fans, the media and officials will be held in suspense to see which teams have made it through to the top four.

Last year’s Telkom Charity Cup took place at the FNB Stadium on 31 July. After 5 weeks of frantic telephone voting by the soccer loving fans, Sundowns, Black Leopards, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates were confirmed as the contenders for the 2004 Telkom Charity Cup. The draw pegged Chiefs against Leopards in the 1st semi final and Sundowns against Pirates in the 2nd semi final

On the day, the FNB Stadium was filled to capacity before the 1st semi final was concluded. Goals from John Shoes Mosheou and Tenashe Nengomashe ensured Kaizer Chiefs a place in the final

In the second Semi final, Sundowns’ Robson Kilambe scored to make sure that Sundowns progressed to the final

As the football players retired for a well earned pre-final rest, the field was transformed into a carnival of colour and fun as lively and vibrant displays were presented to keep the fans entertained.

After 2 hours of scintillating entertainment in a mardi-grass atmosphere, Chiefs and Sundowns lined up for the final of the day. Despite playing compelling matches earlier in the day, both teams rallied and created many opportunities and shots at goal. The match, 0 – 0 stalemate at full time had to be decided on penalties, and Brian Baloyi ultimately saved the day for Sundowns, by blocking a penalty attempt from former (Chiefs) team mate David Kannemeyer

Zikie Molusi, Telkom’s Advertising & Promotions Executive, said that vulnerable groups of all descriptions were considered year after year to benefit from the funds raised from the events. “We acknowledge the critical role that the teams, the media and the administrators play, but in this competition, there is nothing like the expectation and excitement of having the fans ultimately in control. Telkom is proud to be involved in the Telkom Charity Cup for the obvious reasons of benefiting charities and other deserving beneficiaries, encouraging the passion of our soccer nation and in gearing our nation to host the Soccer World Cup in 2010. Telkom remains firmly committed to South African soccer and may the best team win,” said Molusi.

All the matches will be televised live on SABC1’s Mabaleng on the day as well as through live broadcasts on 9 radio stations, ensuring that the action is enjoyed by many millions of soccer fans.

“In this, the 20th installment of the Charity Event, we will exceed all expectations with outstanding soccer and glittering entertainment. The 20th anniversary gives us an opportunity to reflect on the past events and to focus with renewed excitement and passion on the business of making things better for those who are unfortunate. We urge the fans to make that call and cast those votes. Our soccer family will once again contribute to the phenomenal success of this initiative,” said Mr. Leepile M Taunyane, the Chairman of the NSL/Telkom Charity Trust.

Special awards have been introduced to encourage skillful play without going into penalty shootouts as well as to honour the media’s role in building soccer heroes and making the competition a success.

The media awards will be decided by the Cup committee, which consists of members of the PSL, sponsors and event managers who deal with the media on a regular basis. The Cup committee will also appoint a panel of judges drawn from members of the media to vote for a “Man of the Match” in each of the matches that played on the day, both semi finals as well as the final at the stadium.

The incentive awards are as follows:

Players:


Man of the Match 1st Semi Final (Prize: R3 000)


Man of the Match 2nd Semi Final (Prize: R3 000)


Man of the Match Final (Prize: R3 000)

Media and Other:


Print Media Newspapers & Magazines


Print Media Photographers


Electronic Media TV Award


Electronic Media Radio Award


Soccer Personality Outstanding Contribution

The winners of these awards will each receive a cheque for R5 000.

The 2005 Telkom Charity Cup promises to be bigger, better, larger and louder than ever before. Expect great excitement on the field of play with 3 awesome football matches, starring the most popular teams in the Premiership displaying excellent football skills. Fans can also look forward to a varied and vibrant live entertainment programme featuring:-

· A tribute to Brenda Fassie by Lebo Mathosa,

· PJ Powers

· Joyous Celebration

· Sipho Hotstix Mabusa

· Senyaka

· Malaika

· Zola