Softball returns in style
He added that most local clubs have managed to return to play and produced quality performances.
“Majority of our teams have returned to play and displayed impressive showing, but I’m more pleased by the attendance at the games, the level of support we’ve received shows our game is still very much alive.
We have the Friday nights softball games and they have shown us that other sporting codes like Volleyball and Netball converge to watch our games and it is incredible,” he said.
The mini- league tournament does not have a sponsor, according to the BSA president, but after engaging the BNSC, return to play grants will enable the association to provide clubs with participation fees and a structure to distribute the funds will be shared in due course.
Just under a month ago the national senior men’s softball team failed to qualify for the World Baseball Softball Confederation ( WBSC) Softball World Cup 2022 but the team showed tremendous effort before succumbing to a 3- 4 loss to hosts South Africa.
The BSA President told BG Sport that they have lodged a protest with the WBSC about how the final was conducted and are currently awaiting feedback.
“Early 2022, when we were returning to competitive games, we were faced with the task to compete in the WBSC world cup qualifiers; we were not in the best shape but I think our team did well up until the last hurdle in the final.
The loss against South Africa, we did lodge a protest with the WBSC and also engaged the local sport mother body, Botswana National Commission about certain technical things that we felt were not done right.
We are awaiting their response and we will accept whichever decision that will come out. We believe we have a strong case; we want to be heard but we will accept any verdict that will come out,” BSA President said.
Bofinet’s five year sponsorship with local softball came to an end last year and due to financial challenges faced by the corporate world, they have not been able to extend their agreement and discussions over the subject are on hold.
“We have never had a sponsor as big as Bofinet and we still believe our relationship with them will continue.
Last year they ( Bofinet) bought all our clubs personal protective equipment, they are still providing us with free internet at the diamond pitch and we are currently looking at possibilities for them to broadcast our games through their Upic Tv.
They have not rejected us, we have been told that once they recover from the effects of COVID- 19 our relationship will continue,” he shared.
Mosimanegape further revealed that they are working to bring other sponsors on board as they look to hold top 8 extravaganza and independence cup tournament.