The
2012 Telkom Knockout is here, bringing about a rebirth of the country’s most
hotly contested domestic cup competition. There can be only one team; one
winner of South Africa’s premier knockout tournament!
Telkom,
a leading ICT service provider in South Africa has signed a new five-year
sponsorship with the Premier Soccer League for the prestigious 16-team knockout
competition.
It
extends the partnership between the company and this competition that started
in 2006 when the inaugural Telkom Knockout was played.
“Telkom
is an instantly recognisable brand and a major employer. We are a provider of
the network and the technologies that serve as a catalyst for economic growth.
We are an inextricable part of South Africa’s fabric. It is therefore fitting
that we partner with the country’s’ most popular sport, football,” says
Manelisa Mavuso, Telkom Managing Director, Consumer Services & Retail.
The
Premier Soccer League has welcomed the renewed sponsorship and they look
forward to partnering with Telkom on this special event for the next five
years.
PSL
Acting CEO, Ronnie Schloss said: “We are excited to announce renewal of what
has been a successful partnership between the PSL and Telkom. In the last few
years, we have enjoyed a good mutually benefiting relationship with Telkom. By
renewing the vows tonight, we are once again vindicated in our belief that the
PSL enjoys a special relationship with the corporate world. To Telkom, thank
you for being such great partners. We look forward to building many more years
of wonderful memories that will bring joy to the football supporters.”
This
year will see a brand-new trophy that the 16 competing sides will fight over,
as well as exciting prizes for the supporters and also the involvement of some
South African legends who will act as ambassadors for the tournament.
Assisting
at the launch will be former Bafana Bafana internationals Mark Williams, Pollen
Ndlanya, Shakes Kungwane and Philemon Masinga, men who have all left an
indelible mark on our football history.
The
2012 edition of this prestigious tournament will make history too. For the
first time in its history, the Telkom Knockout will have a direct link to a
specific Telkom product, namely ‘Telkom Mix’. ‘Telkom Mix’ is a unique offering
that represents the future … the future of convergence.
Telkom
is the only provider that can offer such a bundle. A combination of mobile and
fixed line telephony joined into one. One winning combination to seamlessly
connect people to a better life. It comprises of a free Blackberry with free
8ta airtime and a land line with free calls. Telkom offers a ‘best of both
worlds’ solution, it is the deal of a lifetime, a deal for the people and a
deal that makes communicating simple.
What’s
more, Telkom will continue to give generously to the needy, with the player
nominated Man of the Match in each of the 15 games having a charity of his
choice receive a cheque for R5 000.
The
Telkom Knockout pits all Premier Soccer League teams against one-another in a
knockout format, with 15 matches to be played before a winner is crowned after
the final on 1 December 2012.
The
competition gets underway with matches in the first round to be played on
between Wednesday, October 17 and Sunday, October 21. The exact dates, times
and venue for these games will be determined by the Premier Soccer League cup
committee after tonight’s draw.
The
quarterfinals will take place on the weekend of November 2-4, with the
semifinals to be staged on November 17-18.
The
competition began back in 1982 and is celebrating 30 years as an integral part
of the South African football calendar. It has provided some of the most
memorable matches in the history of the domestic game and as each year goes
past it continues to excite.
Silver
Stars (now Platinum Stars) were the inaugural winners of the competition under
Telkom’s sponsorship in 2006, beating Ajax Cape Town 3-1 in the final played in
Kimberley.
Kaizer
Chiefs edged Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 on penalties after they had played to a 0-0
draw in the 2007 decider, while Ajax finally got their hands on the trophy with
a 2-1 win over Orlando Pirates in the final a year later.
Chiefs
bagged back-to-back wins, both in the 2010 calendar year as they defeated Ajax
and then Orlando Pirates to take their impressive number of wins in the
competition to 13 in 16 finals appearances down the years.
Pirates
won their inaugural title in 2011, finally ending a run of six final defeats
before lifting the trophy as they beat BidVest Wits 3-1 on a glittering evening
at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The
excitement will now build towards the 2012 event to see who will be crowned
champions and write their names into the history books of South African
football.
