TUT men’s football team parade the varsity trophy
TUT men's football team has received an extra R75 000 from sponsors for winning the Varsity Football trophy for the third time.
It’s been a week since the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) men’s football team won the Varsity Sports SA trophy.
TUT beat the University of Johannesburg (UJ) team 2-1 at UJ Stadium on September 22 to become the second team to win three varsity football titles.
TUT held a victory parade on three of its six Pretoria campuses to share the joy and excitement of lifting the trophy with TUT vice-chancellor and principal Professor Tinyiko Maluleke and the students at large.
Prof Maluleke told the players that he never doubted that they would come out victorious despite playing the finals away from home.
“I never doubted and never wavered in my belief that you would bring it home at the future of ready graduates, winners on and off the field and winners in and outside the classroom,” he said.
He added that they’re busy inventing the future of football at TUT.
The conclusion of the varsity football season sparked a debate on social media when users found out that the participating players receives only R3 000 while Varsity Cup players received R20 000 and a Toyota Cruiser 1.5 XS AT prize.
Prof Maluleke said there’s a discrepancy between the prizes that varsity football, shield and cup winners get.
“There’s no comparison between R24 000 and R250 000 prize money. Such discrepancy in my view belongs to the apartheid era,” he said.
He challenged corporate South Africa to support SA football at a level comparable to their support for rugby.
“I wish to thank the Ntiyiso Consulting, Robin Villa residence and Advancement Portfolio of TUT who have responded quickly within 24 hours when we approached them and they pledged R25 000 each.
He added that they’re still looking for more sponsors to help grow the prize money.
TUT team captain Tebogo Lekaba said he was honoured to stand before Maluleke and the fans after a long and hard campaign of varsity football.
He thanked the supporters and staff for the support they give them throughout the tournament.
Student Dineo Moremi said she was happy that the players and coaches brought home the trophy for the third time after a long hard fight.
“It’s great to support people and they bring back results because had we supported them and they failed to bring back the results it would be heartbreaking,” she said.
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