Nanjati, Kakolo are Limbe Leaf Trophy champs

Nanjati Primary School beat Mtsiliza in post-match penalties to win the 2017 Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company Limited Under-15 trophy on Saturday at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

The two teams played out a two-all draw in regulation time.

In the Under-12 category, Kakolo Primary School beat Kawale Primary School 3-2 to be crowned the champions.

The tournament was competed for by 205 schools which translated into 820, teams according to Limbe Leaf Tobacco managing director Donal McAlpin.

Limbe Leaf sponsored this year’s tournament to the tune of K11 million.

McAlpin said his company is committed to developing sports in the country.

“The tournament has been held successfully for 37 years and the organisation has improved tremendously over the years. This year we have increased our prizes by giving the winning schools textbooks required for their learning. Improving education in the communities we work in is one of our core corporate responsibility policy,” he said.

McAlpin said it was interesting to read that professional netballer Joyce Mvula was spotted during the Limbe Leaf tournament while playing for Nankhaka Primary School.

Director in the Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development, Jameson Ndalama, commended Limbe Leaf for investing in the youth.

“Limbe Leaf have proved that they are true partners of government when it comes to promoting sports, especially at grassroots. They have been sponsoring this tournament for over three decades now and many stars have been produced through this tournament,” he said.

Ndalama urged other companies to emulate Limbe Leaf by investing in the youths.

“As government, we cannot do everything alone, we need partners such as Limbe Leaf. For the senior national football team to be successful, there is need to invest in the youths just like Limbe Leaf are doing.”

Prizes for the tournament ranged from school bags to books and sports materials. n