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KwaZulu-Natal’s leading soccer bosses have lauded the arrival of the Premier’s Cup pre-season tournament to be played for the first time at the end of the month.

The province’s MEC for Art, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Weziwe Thusi, on Tuesday attended the launch of the four-team competition that will feature Absa Premiership clubs AmaZulu, Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United.

“This is a fantastic opportunity and hopefully the start of a good partnership,” Arrows chairwoman Mato Madlala said. She then drew comparisons with other rival tournaments across the country and highlighted the importance of such a tournament in KZN,

adding: “It is always something we have admired from the other provinces. Everyone knows about what happens in Bloemfontein and in different parts of the country.

“And we have always wondered why not us? So this gives us a real opportunity as the KZN clubs, we’ve been waiting for this.

“We would like to thank the Department of Sport and Recreation in the province as well as the Premier’s office for the opportunity given to these four teams. “ The fourth team involved will be First Division side Thanda Royal Zulu, whose profile was raised recently due to the appointment of former South Africa captain Neil Tovey as coach.

Thusi confirmed the one-day event will take place on July 31 at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, with the teams each receiving a R300,000 appearance fee.

She also confirmed that entrance for fans will be free, although the finer details surrounding ticket distribution is yet to be confirmed.

Thanda chief Pierre Delvaux said: “It’s a great opportunity for us to be involved. To see this initiative come forward from government, the Premier’s office and the MEC’s office is excellent. We commend it and it’s a great initiative.” He then added: “The reason I say that is because I’m led to believe that around 62% of players in the Premier Soccer League come from this province.

“When you travel around this province and you see the talent of the youngsters, it’s absolutely amazing. We need to nature this talent because for far too long many of our young and very talented end up with the big clubs in the other provinces.”

Maritzburg chairman Farook Kadodia also echoed the sentiments of Arrows’ Madlala.

“I think for too long we as clubs in Natal have been doing all the television watching from what goes on in the other provinces,” he said. “I must personally applau

d this initiative taken by the MEC and her team. This competition will be a big boost for everyone and we look forward to it.”

AmaZulu’s James Dlamini added: “This whole initiative brings unity to the province. It’s the first time as clubs in this province we will work together for one purpose and we are grateful for being involved.”

None of the three top-flight clubs are involved in the season-opening MTN8 a week later having an endured a poor 2010/2011 season in which all ended outside the top half.