Old Mutual is the official financial solutions partner to Ajax Cape Town, Bloemfontein Celtic and Moroka Swallows and these three teams will be joined by Celtic’s neighbours, Free State Stars, to compete in the 2010 Old Mutual Mangaung Cup.

According to Joy Khaole, brand expression manager for Old Mutual: “The tournament aims to provide our sponsored teams with a competitive edge by giving them the opportunity to take part in a professional tournament a week before the official PSL season gets underway.”

Khaole added that their involvement is not only about sponsoring a tournament but about ensuring that the players’ financial well being is taken care of as well.

“Following the success of last year’s tournament in Botshabelo, we intend complimenting the football with plenty of community initiatives that will provide a platform for football fans to come together and revitalise their passion post World Cup 2010.”

The tournament also provides a unique opportunity to prepare some of the national referees for the upcoming PSL season and will act as an appropriate warm-up to familiarise them with match conditions after a long layoff,” said Adeel Carelse, professional referees’ coordinator.

Also noteworthy in this tournament is a “Coach the Coaches” clinic that will be hosted on Friday 30 July where local trainers will gain valuable knowledge and training from a soccer legend. These coaches will in turn impart this wisdom to the children, thus enabling positive futures.

Khaole further stated that it was not only about bringing a tournament to the region but about creating opportunities for people in the area to do great things.

“Once we leave on Sunday to go back to our respective lives, our hope is to leave a legacy that will see these coaches passing on what they have learned to children in the area, who may be football stars of the future.”

The tournament will also include the Dreamfields Schools Challenge, which will take place on Saturday 31 July and involve schools from the Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu areas. Old Mutual is a founding partner of the Dreamfields Project, which provides resources for playing football in the township and rural schools.

Twelve girls and twelve boys’ school teams will play a knockout event and then experience the thrill of playing their finals as part of the main event when they play the curtain raiser before the final on Sunday 1 August. Each of the schools will receive a DreamBag, which contains full soccer kit, plus boots and balls.

An added extra for tournament fans is the Old Mutual Group Schemes wellness area with nurses conducting a variety of free medical tests that include blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and body mass index tests.

“On the Money” educational toolkits will also be handed out to all the participating schools. The financial services company is at the forefront of providing learner-centered activities to 1 500 schools countrywide. The tournament will also feature a “Kids Zone” play area, as well as dedicated hawker stalls for the community to take advantage of. Orphanages in the region will also be included and taken care of at the “Kids Zone”.

Aptly known as Ke Taba Eo, the team draw will take place on Thursday 22 July at Bloemfontein’s Summerwood Country Estate.

Tickets for the tournament can be purchased at Computicket.