20 Jul 2016

Selebi Phikwe Softball Extravaganza came to an end on July 19 with 16 teams that participated in the prestigious event, cashing out part of the over P400 000 that was set aside for the tournament. 

The three times reigning champions in the male category, BDF IX coached by Tapologo Moremedi, defended their title and pocketed P75 000, gold medals and a trophy, the runner-ups, Wells coached by Gagoope Ntsholetsang took home P40 000 and silver medals while Rail Giants on bronze medals and Gata walked away with P28 000 and P23 000 for third and fourth positions respectively. Other teams that competed in the extravaganza male category included Carats on position five who also received P18 000, Comets on the sixth position who were awarded P12 000, while Dinare and Rebels which got  position seven and eight respectively were each given P10 000.

In the women’s category, Police who were coached by Gaolebale Isaac were crowned the champions and took home P75 000, gold medals and a trophy followed by Panthers who cashed in P40 000 and silver medals while new comers Titans took home P28 000 and bronze medals. 

The fourth position was taken by former champions Dinare who took home P23 000, followed by Motlakase who received P 18 000 and Comets got P12 000, Rail Giants and Scramblers were each awarded P10 000.

The softball games which attracted magnitude of softball players and lovers to the mining town saw teams battling it out for the coveted title.

In the women’s extravaganza Police, who were the reigning champions managed to easily clinch the title by walloping Panthers 6-1 in the finals.  

BDF IX on the other hand retained their championship in men’s category after a tough play from Wells who were also their rivals in the BoFiNet league finals and lost to them. The BDF IX managed to beat the team 3-1.

Players who performed well and displayed good skill during the tournament were also rewarded.

The ‘Most Valuable Player’ in the women and men’s category were each given P2 000, the best slugger in each category won P1 500, while the best outfielder in each category  took home P1 500.

The Selebi Phikwe Softball Extravaganza which was initiated by the BCL Mine managing director, Dan Mahupela with the aim of promoting softball and sport in Selebi Phikwe to encourage sporting tourism and contribute towards diversifying the economy of the mining town, has been running for more than four years.

Earlier on during a sponsors gala dinner, Mahupela said there was a need to promote sport from grass root level.

 He said the move encouraged youth to engage in sport during their leisure time and move away from engaging in deviant behaviour such as alcohol, drug abuse or crime. 

Also, he said the idea would encourage people to live healthy lifestyles. He mentioned that softball was growing in Botswana and needed more support.

The Minster of Infrastructure Science and Technology and also Selebi Phikwe East legislator, Nonofo Molefhi who attended the games applauded all sponsors of the event.

He said by promoting softball and holding the extravaganza, which was a big event that attracts many would help grow the economy of the mining town and also qualify Selebi Phikwe to have a softball stadium. 

Thus, he encouraged the mining town community and surrounding villages to continue supporting the extravaganza.

Meanwhile, in an interview the tournament director, Lebofanye Kenosi explained that the tournament that was coordinated by Botswana Softball Association went well. 

A total of 28 games, he said were played in the three days of the tournament. 

As a result, he said he was happy that the tournament bore testimony that the level of softball in the country has been elevated. He also said players displayed good skill. 

Kenosi also mentioned that they intend to make the sport bigger next year adding that some Southern Africa countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Namibia had shown interest in taking part in the extravaganza. ENDS