Sports development received a huge boost with the launch of a new tournament catering for football and netball on Saturday 21 May 2022 at Kempville Stadium, Mkhondo. The inaugural PG Bison Knockout Cup featured eight (8) football clubs and eight (8) netball teams made up of local schools over two days. The netball tournament played for one day while football played over two days.

PG Bison Executive for Human Capital& Stakeholder Relations Mr Sibusiso Dlamini opened the tournament by thanking the community of Mkhondo fo gracing the event. He introduced the top brass of PG Bison management which included the CEO of the company Mr Gerhard Victor. The top management of the company graced the tournament to show support and give surety that PG Bison will continue to support the community of Mkhondo.

This was echoed by Mr Dlamini,”We are happy to contribute to the development of Mkhondo not only in sports but other sectors as well. This tournament will be played annually here just like it has been played at our other facility at Ugie, Eastern Cape. To us this is not just a tournament but an important community engagement. We get to socialize with members of the community,” he said. The clubs and fans applauded the good news of having a new tournament added to the Mkhondo sports calendar.

“To us this is not just a tournament but an important community engagement. We get to socialize with members of the community”

The eight (8) netball teams were divided into groups A&B. Amadlelo Aluhlaza Secondary School finished on top of Group A followed by Mlilo Combined School. In Group B Ndlela Secondary School finished on top followed by Ubuhlebuzile Secondary School. The semi-finals had to be moved to PR Combined School court after the court at Kempville Stadium became unplayable due to slippery surface which was becoming dangerous to the players. In the 1^st semi-final Ubuhlebuzile Secondary defeated Amadlelo Aluhlaza 5-4 to reach the final. Ndlela Secondary cruised into the final with an 11-6 win in the 2^nd semi-final against Mlilo Combined School. In the final match Ndlela Secondary School claimed their first ever PG Bison Knockout Cup trophy with a 6-2 win over Ubuhlebuzile Secondary School and claimed the bragging rights of being Mkhondo netball champions.

In football Total Football United FC from Phola Park claimed the inaugural trophy by a 2-0 win over Kunene FC from kwaNgema in the final on Sunday 22 May 2022. The 1^st goal came as early as the 4^th minute when the defence was caught unaware. Total Football scored the second goal just minutes before half time to take the game to 2-0 at half time. Kunene FC tried to come back into the game in the 2^nd half but their opponents’ defence was rock solid helped by player of the tournament Kwanele Mavuso (19) who kept a well-deserved clean sheet. The youngster also won goalkeeper of the tournament for his exploits. He conceded one goal in the quarter final match against Arsenal Eagles FC before saving his team on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Kwanele kept a clean sheet in the semi-final against Ajax Sweepers FC then saved three penalties to send his team to the final.

None of the clubs spent money to participate, if money was used it was to pay the muthi men.

The winners of each sport code received a whooping R15000 cash, a trophy with medals plus a brand new kit which they used in final game. Runners-up received R10000, a kit and silver medals. The 3rd placed teams (Mllo Combined School & India Kilo FC) received R5000 cash plus bronze medals. The finalists were the big winners as they both received brand new playing kit in addition to the kits they received at the start of the tournament. This was a different tournament and huge boost to the clubs. None of the clubs spent money to participate, if money was used it was to pay the muthi men. Clubs were transported and provided with food for the two days. Each club in both codes received brand new playing kits which they received on the eve of the tournament.

Mr Ntokozo Simelane representing both the Mkhondo Local Municipality and the Mkhondo Local Sport Council said he was grateful to the sponsors for supporting sports. He thanked the sponsors for a good tournament and spending time with the community watching the matches. “We are very blessed to be graced with thee top management of PG Bison. We are not used to having so many top brass at our tournaments, we are happy for they are here,” he said. He went on to ask other areas such as Rustplaas, Iswepe, Panbult, eNtombe etc. to join the Mkhondo Local Football Association to play League football. He said clubs will be able to be part of the annual tournament if they play league football.