Durban - The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation is hoping that by hosting the Premier's Cup, relations between provincial government and the sport will improve.
Absa Premier League clubs Golden Arrows, AmaZulu, Maritzburg United and Thanda Royal Zulu - a first division team - will compete in the one-day event.
The Premier's Cup will be played at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on July 31 and there is no entrance fee for fans.
"There is no doubt that the people in KwaZulu-Natal, especially eThekwini and surrounding areas, will support the tournament in their numbers because we all have experienced football drought during the recess," said KwaZulu-Natal's MEC for Art, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Weziwe Thusi at the launch of the four-team competition on Tuesday.
Although there is no prize money for the winner due to the lack of sponsorship, the clubs can use the event to entice fans to attend their Premier League Soccer games. Each team though will be given a nominal appearance fee of R300 000.
KZN teams fail to attract the numbers at the stadiums at their home games, unlike the Gauteng based teams.
Currently, Kazier Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are in battle with English outfit Tottenham HotSpur in the Vodacom Challenge.
"Major tournaments currently underway such as the Vodacom Cup and the Carling Cup have also snubbed our province and the Premier's Cup will close that gap," said Thusi.
The MEC would also like to see the KZN based teams get more involved in the sport's development in rural areas.
"This tournament will be played annually so that our teams can benefit from it."
Fixtures
Thanda Royal Zulu vs AmaZulu: 9am
Maritzburg United vs Lamontville Golden Arrows: midday
Final: 4pm
