Softball tight-lipped on hosting budget
The Botswana Softball Association (BSA) remains tightlipped on the budget for hosting the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Africa World Cup qualifiers in February. Botswana beat Uganda to win the right to host the competition for the first time in history.
BSA acting spokesperson, Pako Maforaga told Mmegi Sport the budget would be finalised after meeting with the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC). “We were supposed to meet on Tuesday at 2pm but the meeting was postponed and a new date was set. I can only confirm the budget after we meet with the Commission.
However, the budget has been done but it is still being discussed with everyone involved. This includes briefing the recently appointed Local Organising Committee (LOC),” he said. National team coach, Phibion Tawina is expected to lead the national team trials next week.
The qualifiers will be played under a new format where the two teams from the African qualifiers will play against four teams from Europe under the intercontinental qualifiers. Of the six teams, only two will qualify for World Cup. The African qualifiers will attract 10 countries, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Egypt, Tanzania and Ivory Coast. The 10 nations will battle for the two slots, with the games scheduled for the National Diamond and the University of Botswana grounds.
Meanwhile, the BSA is yet to appoint a new Technical Development Officer (TDO) following the resignation of Dr Monkgogi Thakgathi, who recently left the country to further his studies abroad. Maforaga came on board as public relations and marketing officer after the incumbent,
Boingotlo Marope took three months’ leave.
According to information reaching this publication, the TDO position will be taken to a vote at the next Ordinary General Meeting. “It is unlikely the position of the PRO where the officer has just taken leave, will be filled.
The technical team for the Africa qualifiers was deliberated on by the executive committee on Wednesday and it will be announced before the end of this week,” a source said. The names of trialists are expected to be announced this week, with the trials due to be held next weekend.