The inaugural Buffalo City Municipality Football Challenge Cup kicks off in the city this weekend where 16 teams from across the Eastern Cape (Buffalo City Municipality, King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality and Nelson Mandela Metro) will battle it out from East London to Mdantsane, Gompo, Breidbach and King William's Town, over three gruelling days for a lucrative R25 000 (twenty five thousand) first prize and various other cash prizes totalling R250 000 (two hundred and fifty thousand).

"We began our 2010 hype up of our city with a very successful international tournament involving a Swedish club, Gefle IF, in January 2007, followed by hosting an international Ironman 70.3 Triathlon in January 2008, now we are embarking on the other leg of our 2010 campaign at a local level by encouraging the development of local football with an intention of supporting the imperative to be back in the Premier Soccer League as soon as possible", said Roy Young, Buffalo City Municipality 2010 Project Manager.

The tournament will take place on a straight knock-out basis of 8O minutes matches which will go straight into penalty shootout if teams are level at full time i.e no extra time.

The first round games on Friday 22 February will take place at Gompo Stadium, Sisa Dukashe Stadium and North End Stadium. The second round "Top 8" games will take place on Saturday 23 February at the Victoria Grounds in King William's Town and Breidbach Sports Grounds.

The third and fourth place play-off will take place on the morning of 24 February at Jan Smuts Stadium and the Cup Final that afternoon at ABSA Stadium.

A first prize of R25 000 (twenty five thousand) is on offer to the winning team. The losing finalist will get R15 000 (fifteen thousand), the third placed team gets R10 000 (ten thousand) and the fourth placed team R5 000 (five thousand).

In addition there will be R1 000 (one thousand) for the top goal scorer, R1000 (one thousand) for the player of the tournament, R1 000 (one thousand) for the most disciplined club, R1 000 (one thousand) for the top coach, R500 (five hundred) for the top match official and R500 (five hundred) for the top goalkeeper.

"One of Buffalo City's key 2010 objectives is to position the city as a sports destination of choice nationally and internationally and in this regard the encouragement and nurturing of local football talent is critical", said Vuyo Zambodla, Director for the Office of the Executive Mayor.

"We hope that this tournament can attract a significant increase in local sponsorship to local football".

Participating teams for the inaugural Buffalo City Municipality Challenge Cup 2008 are:

1. Braelyn Callies FC
2. Liverpool FC
3. Mighty Pioneers FC
4. Tornado FC
5. Blackburn Rovers FC
6. Parkside United FC
7. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University FC
8. Bush Bucks FC
9. Naughty Boys FC
10. African Winners FC
11. Park United FC
12. Ace Cosmos FC
13. Star of India FC
14. Tembu Royals FC
15. Cloud Nine FC
16. Bay Academy FC

For the proposal, click here.

Contact Person:
Roy Young
BCM 2010 Project Manager
Tel: 043 705 1898
Cel: 083 660 2221
Fax: 043 705 1855
e-mail: royy@buffalocity.gov.za