The NEST shifts to technology
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday April 10, 2026 12:13
The event organiser, Petrus Sebina, explained that the tournament went according to plan, with an average of 1,300 spectators over each of the four days.
He said the plan was to bring back softball and ignite the energy. 'I do not want the momentum to die. Right now, the softball league does not have a sponsor, and the Top Eight does not have a sponsor. 'I am planning something that every month, something is held, which will depend on the Botswana Softball Association (BSA),” Sebina added.
Reacting to the teams complaints about the system that was used for the tournament, especially during the finals, Sebina explained that clubs were allowed to register 17 players, and it depended on the plans of the technical team.
He said softball is played by nine players, and the same players are used for the entire tournament. “Of all the four teams that played in the final, being Police IX, Titans, Wells and Gatalamotho had enough players to rotate,” he stated.
“Titans had four pitchers, but they chose to play one pitcher throughout, which is a burnout. Gatalamotho was able to substitute their pitcher and managed to take the lead against Wells. “It also demoralises players if they keep training, but are not given an opportunity to play the final. It is about coaches’ tactics.”
According to Sebina, there is also an issue of perception that needs to be cleared when it comes to officiating.
As a result, he said he will write a recommendation to BSA, which is not binding, but as an observation from the tournament.
He noted the recommendation is not only for The NEST because there are other upcoming tournament events, such as Phikwe Softball Extravaganza, and the same issues should be avoided.
He said as part of the commitment by The NEST organisers, and I-Carbon have left flood lights worth P180, 000 and by the next event, the entire lights will be replaced.
Additionally, Sebina said the aim was to drive sustainability, and in the future, they want to run a carbon-neutral event.
Sebina said he received a report from I-Carbon, which states that they managed to save 389kg of carbon dioxide for the past four days, which, if they were running out of solar, could have impacted the electricity grid. He said the refuse collected was 1900kg and managed to recycle 59kg.
“We have never measured our carbon dioxide. I have drafted a carbon framework that we should measure because one of the things where I want us to go, especially for stadium-based events, is to drive carbon credits. We should push the private sector to assist, but that can be possible if there is a tax rebate from the government,' he said.
Meanwhile, the men’s champions, Gatalamotho chairperson, Gabobofane Gabobofane, said they were hurt after failing to win the 2025 Phikwe Softball Extravaganza. He said they did not stop training because they were preparing for any tournament that would be held.
“We managed to win the tournament because of the hard work we put in since last year. Our plan was to win all the NEST games, including the final, and they were all tough,” he said. Individual prizes Most Valuable Players (MVP): Osenotse Serati (BDF IX) and Phaladi Phomolo (Wells); Leading Hitters: Gotlamang Sixpence (Titans), and Zibisane Samuel (BDF); Best catchers: Fanie Seabe (Wells), and Magdeline Mmapitsa (Police); Best pitchers: Bolele Mothusi (Wells), and Mirriam Leave (Police).