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Sports Reporter
NORTHERN Region Division One Soccer League boss Willard Manyengavana says he is doubtful that the Yadah TV Knock-out Cup Tournament, which was launched last year, will be held this year.
The inaugural tournament was held last year towards the end of the season featuring teams that were in the top eight of the race, at the halfway mark of the season.
But Manyengavana yesterday revealed that the sponsors of the tournament have indicated that they will not be able to hold the competition this year.
The tournament was sponsored by Yadah TV, which is owned by the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries.
“I spoke to the prophet (Walter Magaya) and he said this year he may not be able to fund it, but he is going to find a way of contributing towards our league,” said Manyengavana.
“So, in as far as the Yadah TV tournament is concerned, that’s the position.
“Obviously, the amount (to be contributed to the league) will not be the same as sponsoring a tournament.
“It means the commitment is not the same as per the agreement we had. It was a three-year deal and it is just for this year that they may not be able to fund it.”
The eight-team tournament was last year sponsored to a tune of $30 000 with the winners Ngezi Platinum walking away with $8 000.
Manyengavana, however, said they were already negotiating with another potential sponsor although time was not on their side.
Last year the tournament was staged between September and November.
“We are still hopeful there might be somebody to take up the tournament. We are still hopeful it will take off even though it will be sponsored by another company.
“We are still talking to one company that has promised to take up the sponsorship of that tournament this year.
“We should be able to complete the deal this week. In the event that we get a new sponsor the tournament will run under a different name, but we will maintain the same format from last year,” said Manyengavana.
The Northern Region chairman said with just four games before the curtain comes down on the league, they are likely to have double headers in the event that they get another sponsor.
Last year, the tournament featured eventual winners Ngezi Platinum, Mushowani Stars, Bindura United, Starbill, Gunners, Lake Harvest, Flame Lily and Black Mambas, now ZRP FC.
The Yadah Cup broke new ground as it became the first knock-out competition for the lower division teams.
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