BDF IX rise as Wells live up to billing
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday July 22, 2023 06:00
It was sweet victory for the SSKB-based side as they dethroned defending champions, Titans. BDF IX was eyeing a double but their male counterparts fell to long-time champions, Wells International.
Both the men's and women's Extravaganza champions pocketed P20,000 each. BDF IX women's captain, Kesego Segwe said the win feels like a dream. “It feels amazing. We finally got what we had dreamt of as we have been failing numerous times to reach the finals, even though we are a team with quality players,” she said.
Their route to the finals saw BDF XI play Wells in the eliminators, where they qualified for the tournament as runners-up in the bracket and humiliated Wells at the tournament during the bracket winner’s game. Segwe said since the tournament was played when the transfer window was open, BDF had signed new players but they did not participate in the Extravaganza.
She said Sesame Tango made a strong comeback to the BDF line-up. Segwe said one thing she learnt during the tournament was that softball is a game with difficult rules. “One has to know the rules before getting into bigger stages of the tournament because when the going gets tough, tension mounts. Our plan ahead of the tournament was to go there, swing the bat harder, win all our games and become champions. That is what we focused on during training. The offence will win you games,” Segwe said.
BDF IX public relations and marketing manager, Obonetse Makala said both teams were prepared to win the two trophies on offer. He said they are currently grooming youngsters who will soon make the first team. “We used to win all local tournaments, so our next focus is to win the Independence Cup,” he said. BDF men last won the tournament in 2019.
Champions, Wells men’s side went to Selebi-Phikwe limping after the resignation of number one catcher, Thabiso Raditlhobane and outfielder, Tshepo Ditiro who joined Rebels. Wells signed a new catcher, Moreri Gabatshwane from Scramblers, Phutiyarona Chabaesele from Rebels and Lone Isaacs from Gatalamotho. Wells spokesperson, Segolame Raesima said the new charges are youngsters and they delivered. Wells men won the Extravaganza title in 2017, 2018 and 2023. Wells team manager, Moffat Kgotlaetsile said they were in a rebuilding process before the tournament. “We play standard softball, our opponents always know our style of play but we always win. Our men’s team came from behind to beat BDF. We wanted to see their weakness and capitalise on that,” he said.
Kgotlaetsile said despite winning the men’s title, preparing a team is expensive and the prize money does not come close to what the teams spend. He said sponsorship remains a challenge for local sport and Wells is not spared. Prize money: Women Winners: BDF IX (20,000), silver medallists: Titans (P15,000), bronze medallists: Wells (P12,000).
Position four – UB Giants (P10, 000). Position five – Rail Giants (P9,000)
Men Winners: Wells (P20,000), silver: BDF (P15,000), bronze: Rail Giants: (P12,000). Position four – Vikings (P10,000). Position five – Panthers (P9, 000). Teams that finished in position six up to eight (men and women) received P8,000 each. Most Valuable Player (MVP); women: Keletso Segwe (BDF, P750), men: Kealeboga Tsienyane (Wells, P750). Slugger: women: Ethel Mongwewarona (BDF, P500), men: Motty Bosekeng (Rail Giants, P500). Best Pitcher: women: Boitshwarelo Sefo (BDF, P500), men: Karabo Motsholathebe (Wells, P500). Best catcher: women: Goitseone Munyadzwe (Titans, P500), men: Edwin Gaofano (Rail Giants, P500). Best Youngest Player of the Tournament award was not awarded.