Kettie Nyalongwe Football and Netball Cup will be launched this afternoon at Khamba Ground in Mzuzu.
The tournament is sponsored by Mighty Wanderers director Gift Mkandawire to the tune of K2 million in honour of his mother who died in 1999.
The tournament’s organising committee chairperson Moses Kamanga said in an interview yesterday during the launch, Gimtec Reserves, who are the defending champions in football, face Private Rangers while in netball, Gimtec Sisters take on Chisomo Sisters.
He said: “The launch will be graced by the sponsor and a number of activities have been lined up.”
Mkandawire, who is also TNM Super League rookies Ekwendeni Hammers’ patron, said he is happy that the tournament is back after missing out last year due to Covid-19 pandemic.
He said: “I launched this tournament in honour of my mother and it is now in its 21st edition.
“I am happy that over the years, it has provided a platform for up-and-coming talent to showcase their skills and some have played for the national team.”
Some of the notable products of the tournament are South Africa-based forward Atusaye Nyondo, who was part of the squad which qualified for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
Others are Mighty Wanderers goalkeeper William Thole, former Nyasa Big Bullets players Wisdom Ndlovu and Komani Msiska and Civil Service United midfielder Dan Kumwenda.
The tournament’s coordinator Keegan Mkandawire said the cup is competed for by teams from Mzuzu to Ekwendeni in Mzimba.
