08 October 2012
Telkom, PSL renew vows for five more years
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 airtimeand a land line withfree calls. Telkom offersa '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.
Fact Files:
For any media release enquiries, please contact:
Pynee Chetty
Telkom Media Enquiries
Email: chettpr2@telkom.co.zaOR
Luxolo September
PSL
Cell: 076 412 4450
Email: lux@psl.co.za