Mikia Kalati

LESOTHO Flour Mills will hold a soccer tournament from 16-18 January 2016 featuring eight teams from Mohale’s Hoek as part of the company’s initiative to give back to the community.

According to Lesotho Flour Mills Public Relations Officer, Bofihla Neko, the three-day tournament, which is dubbed ‘Chai Soccer Spectacular, is meant to empower the Mohale’s Hoek community and showcase the company’s products in the district.

“The competition is the first of its kind and we hope that it will get the support it requires for it to be a success,” Neko said.

“This is not the first time we have sponsored sporting events since we previously partnered with Bantu football club.”

The tournament winners, he said, would walk away with M25 000.

“However, we are still finalising other details regarding the prize money for teams finishing in second and third places, as well as the rest of the competitors,” said Neko.

He said the tournament would be a test case for similar initiatives around the country and urged the Mohale’s Hoek community to support the initiative.

“I think the success of the upcoming tournament will determine whether we will continue with similar initiatives in the other nine districts,” Neko said.

“What I can promise is that huge prizes will be in store, and hopefully the Majantja (Mohale’s Hoek) community will support us in their numbers.”

He said the other objective of the event was to increase the visibility and reach of the company’s products which include maize meal products, flour, feed meal and sugar among others.

“The other aim of the initiative is to promote our brand so that our products are known in Mohale’s Hoek. The community also benefits through the sponsorship of the tournament,” said Neko.

“Soccer is the most popular sport in the country hence our decision to hold a football tournament. Our plea is for supporters to come in their numbers as their presence will ensure the event becomes a success.”