DPM LAUNCHES LEGENDS CUP AS FOOTBALL TAKES AIM AT CHILD POVERTY

Deputy Prime Minister Her Excellency Senator Thulisile Dladla has officially launched the Legends Cup Tournament, a football initiative with a powerful humanitarian purpose aimed at providing school shoes to vulnerable and destitute children across Eswatini.

The tournament was officially launched at the Deputy Prime Minister’s office on Monday, ahead of the two-day football spectacle scheduled for 15 and 16 August 2026 at King Sobhuza II Stadium in Nhlangano.

Under the theme “Let’s Shoe Their Walk”, the Legends Cup seeks to use the popularity and influence of football to mobilise support for children who face challenges in accessing basic necessities such as school shoes.

Speaking on behalf of the organising committee, Mr Nkosilenhle Masuku thanked all the stakeholders of the tournament for responding to the call to support vulnerable children through the initiative.

Masuku urged football supporters and members of the public to contribute to the campaign by bringing school shoes to the tournament venue.

“Our currency is shoes,” he said, emphasising the importance of turning football excitement into tangible support for children in need.

The tournament will also provide an incentive for teams to compete for honours, with the champions set to receive E5,000, while the runners-up will take home E3,000. Semi-finalists will receive E1,500, while participating teams will each receive E500.

Individual accolades will also be presented, including awards for the Player of the Tournament, Best Goalkeeper and Top Goal Scorer.

Representing the participating teams, EFA General Secretary Mr Frederick Mngomezulu expressed appreciation for being part of an initiative that combines football and social responsibility.

“We are excited to be part of this humanitarian initiative; thus, our wish is that the number of shoes increases each year,” said Mngomezulu.

He further reaffirmed the EFA’s commitment to supporting the tournament, explaining that the Association would provide four official match balls for the tournament.

“The EFA will provide four match balls for this tournament,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister commended the organisers for using football as a vehicle for positive social change, highlighting the values that the sport can instill in communities.

“What I like about football is that it has order and discipline. It also has love and builds families,” said Senator Dladla.

She encouraged stakeholders to continue working together to ensure that initiatives such as the Legends Cup create meaningful and lasting benefits for communities, particularly children.

The DPM also demonstrated her personal commitment to the campaign by making a donation of school shoes during the launch ceremony.

With the tournament now officially launched, organisers are calling on football supporters, businesses and members of the public to turn up at King Sobhuza II Stadium on 15 and 16 August carrying pairs of school shoes, and entrance is for free.

The Legends Cup therefore promises to be more than just a football tournament. It is an opportunity for the football community to demonstrate that the beautiful game can also be a powerful instrument for compassion, community development and changing the lives of vulnerable children.

As the teams battle for football glory in Nhlangano, the ultimate Champions will be the children who will walk back to school with dignity and confidence.