09 Aug 2021

Following lifting of the suspension of sporting activities, Botswana Softball Association (BSA) had hoped its national elite league would start around October.

In an interview, BSA president, Katlholo Mosimanegape, said they had engaged with the BNSC and presented their safe return to sports manual, which was accepted with minor editions.

However, Mosimanegape said due to surge in the spread of COVID-19, their plans had been significantly affected.

“The rising number of cases across the country forced us to relook at our plans,” he added.

In an effort to assist in the fight against COVID-19, he said they decided to suspend plans to start the league until the situation had improved or they come up with safest possible ways.

In a communication from BSA to affiliates, Mosimanegape explained that the national executive committee was working tirelessly to find corrective and just ways in which they could resume sporting activities in the safest way possible.

He highlighted that the association was in constant contact with stakeholders to find a way of safely returning to play.

BSA president said they were working on modifying their playing structure to meet the current demands, training technical officials and coaches to upscale them as well as SHE personnel.

He urged affiliates to abide by COVID-19 protocols and encouraged those eligible for vaccination to take the vaccine as it might make a difference between life and death.

For her part, BSA public relations officer, Boingotlo Marope, indicated that they had planned to host test matches in the north and south regions.

The idea behind the test matches, she said was to see how everything would run especially in terms of complying with COVID-19 protocols.

She said test matches would give them time to identify gaps in their return to play strategy and rectify before congregating a lot of teams.

Marope said players would have the feel and understanding of what was expected of them, adding that the association would then get feedback from participants including coaches, officials as well as players.

“The feedback would help us in fine tuning our preparations, the idea is for everyone to be safe at our playing fields,” she said.

She highlighted that such was a new playing environment hence the need for everyone to understand what was expected of them.

She said they would then have to monitor the delta strain situation and inform affiliates on the way forward. ENDS