Softball league makes a return
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday October 12, 2024 10:37
Speaking during the league launch this week, the BSA competitions officer, Justus Kuswane, said they have received a grant from the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) to the tune of P937, 000. He said each club would receive P10, 000, and if a side has both the men's and women's teams, they would receive P20, 000. Kuswane explained that the teams are expected to use the grants for upkeep and travel to matches. He said the league does not have prize money. “Each team will receive six balls for training not for games. Softball balls are expensive. On match day, we need 32 boxes containing 12 balls.
The bulk of the money goes to equipment. We should also dress our officials to indicate that we are a credible sport,” he said. Kuswane said 24 men and 20 women teams have confirmed participation, making a total of 44 teams. The southern zone will have 13 men's teams and nine will represent the north. There will be nine teams in the north whilst 11 teams will represent the southern zone in the women's sector. “We have those who felt that the grant will not benefit them because they do not have anything. There are three in the north. One of them proposed that they could compete with one team, either men or women.
In the south, there are three teams that have not confirmed. Kuswane said grants would be distributed amongst the teams to assist them in preparing for the competition. He said most teams do not have catchers’ gear, bats, and accommodation costs. Kuswane said games for the southern zone will be played at the National Diamond whilst in the north the venue is Orapa. The league will run until March 2025, when the national champion will be crowned. Kuswane called upon potential sponsors to come on board and assist.