BDF IX, DINARE ARE SOFTBALL CHAMPS Tshepo Mongwa reports for BOPA Gaborone based BDF IX softball team has been crowned champions of the Selebi Phikwe Softball Extravaganza in the men’s category after beating Rail Giants from Mahalapye 4-3 in a tough encounter during finals on Tuesday, July 22. The team walked away P50,000 richer with gold medals and a trophy, while Rail Giants, who came in second, took home P20 000 and silver medals. The P25,000 third prize was scooped by the hosts, Comets from Selebi Phikwe, who also took home bronze medals. Ever since the Softball Extravaganza was introduced six years ago, it was the first time that the hosts had ever reached the finals or the top three zone in the tournament. Meanwhile, in ladies category, Dinare softball team, who were first time entrants in the softball extravaganza, beat scooped gold medals, a trophy and P50,000 after beating Wells Softball Team from Jwaneng 14-5 in the Finals. The ladies from the diamond mining town, Wells, came in second and walked away with P25,000 and silver medals. Rail Giants from Mahalapye came in third in the women’s category and took home P20,000 and bronze medals. Other teams in the women’s category that was sponsored by Bridgestone, included the defending champions, Bears from Gaborone, who came in fourth and were awarded P15,000. There was also Panthers who came in fifth winning P10,000, followed by Scramblers from Francistown on sixth place who were awarded P8,000, while Comets from Selebi Phikwe came seventh and took home P7,000, and Carrats from Orapa in the eighth spot also received P7,000. In the men’s category, which was sponsored by Komatsu, the defending champions, Scramblers from Francistown took fourth spot and P15,000, Wells from Jwaneng on fifth spot took home P10,000, while Carrats from Orapa in sixth position, Gatalamotho from Jwaneng on seventh spot, and Dinare from Gaborone on the eighth position took home P8,000, P7,000 and P7,000 respectively. The Most Valuable Player prize of P1000 in the womens’ category was won by Lesesere Kelebogile from Wells. She also scooped another P1000 for being valued as the best Slugger while Bonolo Molefhe from Dinare took home P1000 for being the best Out Field Player. In the men’s category, the Most Valuable Player prize of P1000 went to Obusitse Lekgothu from BDF 9, while Steve Ketlogetswe also from BDF 9 scooped the best Slugger award and P1000. Thabo Dlhodlho representing Rail Giants won the Best outfielder award and took home P1000. In total, 16 teams took part in the extravaganza where eight top teams being four men and four womens teams from the north zone and south zone qualified to battle it out in the Softball Extravaganza. In an interview, Coach Basimanebotlhe Molathiwa, who is the coach of the champions in the women’s category - Dinare Softball Team,- said that he was proud with the performance of his team. He said that though it was the first time for his team to play in the Selebi Phikwe Softball Extravaganza, he took every game with the seriousness it deserved. He said the busiest encounter was against Wells from Jwaneng, adding that discipline and hard work made his team do well in the tournament. For his part, BDF 9 coach Tapologo James Moremedi said he was offensive in the games starting from the group stages to the finals where they beat Rail Giants 4-3 in a very close and tough encounter. He said another team that gave his team a run for their money were the defending champions, Scramblers from Francistown. He also noted that since the Extravaganza was introduced six years ago they were always in the top three coming in second after Scramblers last year. However, he said the overall tournament was spectacular where they enjoyed the cheering of fans from Selebi Phikwe. Meanwhile, a member of Selebi Phikwe Softball Extravaganza organizing committee, Lebofanye Kenosi noted that this year’s tournament was bigger and better than last year’s and they intend to make improvements every year. He said this year the prize money for the teams amounted to P290 000. He thanked the teams for taking part in the tournament and also the sponsors such as Focus Engineering Services, Bridgestone, Komatsu, Stanlib, BCL Mine and Puma Energy to name but a few. He said that the Softball Extravaganza was meant to award players and teams and acknowledge them and also to help develop and grow the sport in the country.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 18:29:42 +0000
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