The premiership league sponsorship increase means this year’s champions will take home a whopping M27 500 as first prize money plus a trophy and gold medals.

 Premier League Management Committee (PLMC) head Tlholo Letete disclosed this on September 13 just prior to the kick off of the 2005 to 2006 soccer season at the weekend.

Mr. Letete said the increase in prize money will encourage teams to double their efforts, especially as the teams will know well ahead of time what they are playing for.

'We are really upbeat about the new development and are looking forward to interesting and quality football, ' he said.

Letete said this is a step in the right direction considering that the first prize last season did not exceed M9000. The second prize will this year be M20 000, with third and fourth being awarded M17 500 and M15 000 respectively.

He also announced that Ambassadors and Botha Bothe Warriors have been promoted to the elite league replacing Bantu United and Qalo, relegated to the lower division.

Senior national team Likuena's international fixture has not been taken into consideration, Letete said, due to the prevailing circumstances surrounding coach Tony Hey.

The PLMC Chairperson said they acquired Mamoth Financial Services as sponsors of the best goalkeeper of the year, with Kay Bon Satellite and TV sponsoring the league’s top goal scorer and Card Shark the best supporter of the year. 

The total prize money for the premiership teams is M198 000 with M40 000  put aside for the Buddie Top 4 finals, referees allowances taking M72 000 and M30 00 going into management costs. There will also be M4000 in prizes for outstanding players, he said. 

Likhopo football club is the defending league champions while Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS) are Buddie Top 4 holders.

13 September 2005