Botswana hosts Region Five Masters softball tournament
Koketso Kgoboge | Thursday September 22, 2016 14:39
The games begin today with the finals scheduled for Saturday.
This is the second time Botswana will be hosting the Region Five Masters’ competition after hosting the 2012 edition. Four men’s teams and three local women’s teams will represent Botswana against six South African teams (both men and women).
In the men’s category, Botswana’s Blaze, Police, Knights and KDK will face off against South Africa’s Texas, Flames (team A and B) and Best Batters. In the women’s category the defending champions, Diamonds Women, Diphala and KDK will face the neighbours Cardinals, Tulips and MaYoung.
Old Boys of Durban in South Africa are last year’s champions. The tournament was held in Johannesburg. They will however not be able to defend their championship this year, the Local Organising Committee chairperson, Boitumelo Mooki has confirmed. She said although the tournament is non-profit making it is beneficial to the softball association and it also keeps former players active in the game.
“Due to other commitments, the defending champions in the men’s category, Old Boys have confirmed non-participation in this year’s edition. This is a tournament for the elder softball players and our mandate is to keep former softball players within reach so that they can be available and easily accessible for the softball association in any case they might need our help and advices,” she said.
Meanwhile in Jwaneng, Gatalamotho will be hosting the annual Jwaneng Independence challenge. In celebration of BOT50, the tournament has been made open for all the men’s softball teams. The showpiece will be played over the independence holidays commencing on September 29. The winners of the tournament will walk out P20,000 richer.